Farming

Today I was thinking about how the physical earth and my physical surroundings are the medium (and perhaps the only medium) by which person to person interaction goes on and person to God interaction takes place. I’ve said before that my Christianity is very, very physical, maybe even grimy and difficult.

I was thinking of this as I drove to work this morning, and in our area every farmer is out in the field from dawn ‘till dusk (or more) turning the soil to plant. I wondered as I passed field after field and watched them work if farming is a special or unique interaction with God in this physical space. We work hard. We prepare the soil. We plant the seed. We water and fertilize. But, it is still God that germinates and brings the crop out of the ground. It is truly something of a mystery to watch. It is awe inspiring year after year as I watch the cycle of life.

We use his soil. His water. Machines that were invented through His grace. And we use energy granted by Him. But beyond even that. In the end, it is God himself that produces the crops in the field. It is only by his grace that we ever harvest one kernel of corn, one bean, one potato, one tomato, one grain of wheat, one bale of hay, or a single pickle (or any other crops grown here). I think farming allows one to see so clearly how hard we work yet still we’re not as in control as we think we are. We are totally dependant upon a benevolent God.

Picture is Ben Russell tilling before he plants tomorrow.