Saturday, June 15, 2024

The Patient Farmer (James 5:7-8)

The kids will be baling this field tomorrow. 

Whenever I see a scene like this, I'm reminded of James 5:7-8: "See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. You, too, should be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."

Crops, like hay, require time to mature. The emphasis in James is that we have to be patient for things to develop themselves. You can't hasten the process. You can't control the rains. You can't control the dry weather either. We must wait patiently for the harvest time to come. 

Likewise, becoming an instant Christian makes about as much sense as becoming an instant brain surgeon. Sanctification, like hay or corn or any other crop, doesn't sprout up overnight. If it's healthy, it needs to be watered, nurtured, and fertilized. The Christian life is a process of drawing closer to God and becoming more like Christ. On our part it takes work, risk, dedication, sacrifice, and especially patience. 

God expects instant saints of none of us.