Each day the green stocks of the corn stretch upward as if to grab hold of the very sun. It was just a few weeks ago, the farmer cleared the fields, prepared the soil and plunged the seed into the rich brown earth. To hold the seed in one’s hand it would appear to just be a bit of organic material that was lifeless and inert. The farmer knew better. Why, because he had seen similar seed spring to life. It was an act of faith on his part to believe that it would happen again and again each year. Why else would he go to the great labor and expense to prepare, plant, cultivate, water, spray for weeds and pests. It is because he knows if he is diligent, it will happen again.
Very soon, the stalk will reach a mature height. Then the tassel will spread out its flower, and fertilize the ear. The ear will grow imperceptible until one day it will be full grown and ready for harvest. It is the moment the farmer has labored for so long. All of the effort sees it reward in the harvest. The harvest is the time of rejoicing, celebrating, and knowing that the cost was worth it all.
The amazing truth is that the farmer did not do it by himself. With out the creative power that God himself places in the seed, the warmth of the sun, and the nourishment of the water (which God created), there would be no harvest. The farmer does his part and God does his part. I would lean toward believing that there are no atheist farmers.
Jesus tells a wonderful parable about farmer in Matthew 13:1. We, the church are portrayed as the sowers. We spread about the seed, the good news, the gospel. We too, like the farmer, tenderly and with diligence, prepare soil, plant the seed in the deep soil of someone soul, water, watch, pray, and care for the fields. God does his part by sending his Holy Spirit into the person’s life to connect what we do and say with the presence of the almighty himself.
