Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Time, part 3

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“a time to plant and a time to uproot” Ecclesiastes 3; 2b (NIV)
            Springtime is planting season for most crops. The one exception I know of is winter wheat. One spring my husband and I were fishing at a friend’s pond in a rural county in the south-central part of our state. Across the road from the pond, a farmer was planting a field. Since I have always lived in a city, I found it interesting to watch.

            Conversely, fall is the time to harvest those crops planted in the spring. I remember when I was in the fourth grade seeing up-close corn as a farmer combined corn and cleared a field of the stalks and the grain filled up a wagon. When our son lived in Kansas, he took a trip to Colorado. While he was there, a forest fire worked its way through the Rocky Mountain National Park. On his way back through western Kansas, the farmers were harvesting the winter wheat. The air was heavy with dust from the process.
            Last year, Hubby decided he would plant some perennial flower seeds. The result disappointed him. He wanted to tear them out. I suggested we wait and see how they would do later. This year, both flowerbeds look vibrant with color. The flowers have spread. His one comment this year was, “And I didn’t have to do anything this year.” Well, he has had to water them.
            In ministry, a new outreach effort is born to meet a need. At the other end of the spectrum, certain ministries close for whatever reason or reasons apparent to those who lead it. Certain uprooting takes place when the original purpose has not been met or a building outlives its usefulness. Certain expansions become reality when a family or a group feels the need to enlarge their vision.

            Sometimes this short phrase could apply to forming or even ending a friendship. God has to be at both the beginning and the end of relationships. Even when we experience the uprooting of our lives, we have to look to the LORD for balance.


            Dear Father God: Please help us to discern the proper time to plant and to uproot. Guide us as we decide what You want us to do. We thank you for always being with us and for helping us through the tough times. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. AMEN

2 comments:

  1. I think of uprooting unnecessary habits and unhealthy relationship whenever I pull weeds in my garden! And I pray that the Lord would show me how to do that without damaging my crop of fruits of the spirit.

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    Replies
    1. You have a very good way of looking at this 'uprooting' action.
      Jesus told the disciples to leave the weeds until the harvest lest they pull out the good seed at the same time. I understand your way of looking at this. We all want to be 'presentable'before God.

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