Hay Season
Here in the panhandle, farmers make use of successive dry weeks to cut hay. Although they like to get more than one cutting off of a fertilized field, the fall cutting is especially critical to have enough to get the cows through winter when grazing is reduced. A mower sweeps across the large expanses of dense grass with his blades, then waits for the high temperatures to dry it out. He comes back with mechanized rakes and tedders to fluff and arrange it in rows. It dries more. By the time the baling machines get to it, it is no longer green; it’s nearly white. It makes me think of this scripture:
“Do you not say, it is still four months until the harvest comes? Look! I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields and see how they are already white for harvesting. Already the reaper is getting his wages [he who does the cutting now has his reward], for he is gathering fruit (crop) unto life eternal, so that he who does the planting and he who does the reaping may rejoice together” (John 4:35-36 AMPC).
Timing is everything. When the hay is on the ground, a rain reduces the nutritional value and makes it more difficult to bail. Occasionally bad weather causes the cut hay to stay on the ground until it’s no longer usable. Once the hay is baled, it takes many tractor-hours to get it covered or under the barn. Rain during this process also reduces the quality and risks tearing the bales. Years ago, it took a squad of healthy boys and men to get square bales all in the loft. Now the giant rolls are loaded by big tractors and carried on semis with flatbed trailers. But no matter how it is done, having a barn full of hay for the winter is a satisfying sight!
It is so with our spiritual harvest. The time for working for the kingdom seems shorter than ever before. Jesus is still the answer to the world’s heartaches and hungers. It’s easy to become discouraged because we don’t always see the results of our planting or watering. That doesn’t mean God isn’t working. We may rush and get ahead of God at times to press someone to change or go too slowly and not respond in obedience to minister the Word at the right time when the Holy Spirit directs us. The harvest depends on our sensitivity and compassion to work. It also depends on God’s faithfulness to give the results. And He NEVER fails!
Paul said,” I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was making it grow and [He] gave the increase.
So, neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God who makes it grow and become greater.
He who plants and he who grows are equal (one in aim, of the same importance and esteem), yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor.
For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God’s garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:6-9 AMPC).
Last year, the fellow who planted cotton across the road didn’t get a good stand. Some of the seed washed away in a heavy rain and then the dry weather finished destroying what the rain didn’t get. His harvest was wasted. That never happens with God! If I do my part, He always does His, even if I don’t get to see the finished product until Jesus returns.
Thank you, Lord, for your perfect timing! Help me prepare, plant, water and reap at your discretion.
Your are right; we may not see the fruit of our work this side of heaven. May God use us as He needs us.
This is an apt analogy, Luwana. I can see the bales of hay in my mind’s eye, and I can also see people waiting to hear about God’s love for them.
What a great post Luwana. As I read it, I was reminded that while the rain may wash away some of the farmers seed, seeds planted for the Kingdom can never be washed away.