Pray, Trust, and Plow

Today, when I pulled into the parking lot of a row of local shops near SOTH, I realized that there was a newly empty storefront.

Another small business has gone under.

I can't remember the last time I talked to a business owner who was experiencing good economic times.

Things are really hard. They really, really are and I haven't seen much hope locally of them getting better really soon. There are moments when it becomes very clear to me just how much pressure everybody really is under.

The same is true for our church, of course. And every other church and non-profit in our community.

The prospect of losing a job, or of a business going under, is just terrifying for folks who have poured their life into those efforts.

What can we do?

We can remember this: (Matthew 6:24-34 The Message)

²⁴"You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.

^25-26"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion.

There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

^27-29"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference?

Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

^30-33"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

³⁴"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

And then, though most of us in this community aren't farmers, we can get up, get going and "take the tractor another round," whatever that means for you.

Pray. Believe. Act on those beliefs. I've come to love this song that came out a couple of years ago, and I really do believe in taking the tractor another round, no matter what. God will do the rest.

All will be well. (And looking at Jason Aldean, I think he'd get "whupped" if he showed up on a real farm, but it's still a great song).

Grace & Peace -- Adam