Planting and Plowing

"I said, 'Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you."  Hosea 10:12 
 
Living in a neighborhood surrounded by cornfields has given me the opportunity to witness planting and plowing up close and personal. It's obvious even from my observer position that a bountiful harvest doesn't just happen. The soil is worked. The seed is planted. The plants are protected from bugs and weeds. Then, when the rainwater falls and the sun shines, the crops burst from the ground as if reporting for roll call. It's truly remarkable.

God, through his prophet Hosea, was giving the people of Israel the answer to the question, "Where's the love?" The crop of love was missing. Why? They had neglected righteousness. They allowed their hearts to remain hard. It was time for some planting and plowing. The Lord of the Harvest had readied the showers. There was only one decision left to make ... Would they seek him or would they not? 

God hasn't changed. He's still ready to shower righteousness on any who with plowed heart will seek him. Seeds of righteousness, once planted, will still produce a harvest of love. A truly great life lies on the other side of planting and plowing. Grab your spiritual boots. We've got some work to do.

Grace and Peace,
 
Tom Wiles
tom@fallcreekchristian.org

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