Most Americans don't really know what goes into the food they eat every day. Yes, there are ingredient lists and calorie counts and such; but there is not sweat and blood outlining what exactly went into that burger or that salad. Chocolate is a story unto itself! There are many different farming areas in the world but most use the same methods of farming to plant, raise and bring in their crops. I was raised in North Dakota where we farmed a large farm and raised cattle as well. We weren't forced labor as kids but we sure put in a lot of work. Here are a few observations about farming from my perspective (as I am sure is for others as well). Farming is an exercise of perpetual motion. No one season is more important than the other. Even winter is important. The land has limits and rules just like humans do. There is the need for rest so that the land can renew itself. During the winter that is ongoing even though it's cold. The snow and ice that lays on the land provides that initial nourishment needed for the spring growth. While it's still winter type of seed is determined for the planting for the land where we lived. I can remember my dad rolling up seeds in newspaper and placing it in a quart jar with water to see the percentage of germination. The higher the better. Science at it's best. Winter was used for transport of stored seed to town for treating so that those seeds would survive and not be eaten by worms and such. The machinery was readied and set up for the spring planting.
Spring comes but no planting yet. It's calving season for all you meat lovers. They grow up to be your food (and mine). Same for other types of animals. They need to be cared for and raised as well. Some are sold while others are retained for stock. Eventually all those will be culled and sold in the fall which provides funds for newly purchased animals or machinery or seed for the land. When we entered the fields to plant we took care where certain crops were planted. The richest soil was for the best yielding seed. The least favorable soil was reserved for the most hardy of seed. Some of the land wasn't seeded at all allowing it to regenerate over the year. When we entered a field we began at the center and end of the field, dropped the plow into the ground and set out sight to the end of the field not looking back. At the end of the field there was a straight line as a result of not looking back. Are you taking notes? Don't look back after getting started is a prime Christian duty resulting in a straight line to the Cross of Christ.
After the planting of the seeds there is cultivating of the corn, praying for rain, putting up the hay to feed the animals for the winter, praying for rain, picking up and disposing of rocks in the fields, praying for rain, weeding the garden and preserving vegetables for winter, praying for rain and then praying for rain. Without the praying for rain and putting all of the farm into His hands, you and I wouldn't be eating what we eat. It's as simple as that. The farming cycle isn't over though. Harvest is coming. During the summer hail storms can cause damage or destroy crops. Pests like grasshoppers can destroy the fields. Drought can prevent crops from growing and maturing. All good reasons to pray. In the fall when it's determined that the seeds are ripened to just the right degree the crops are brought in. This is labor intense and time sensitive. Wait too long and the quality of the grain decreases as does its value. Take the crop to early and the crop doesn't have the development to be the best.
The cycle continues year after year and the faithful continue year after year to bring food they have found to the beggars that are you and I. We take for granted all of the above and quite frankly until that hits home we don't care. We complain about prices, seek out the lowest prices, grumble over how much it costs to feed a family, and on and on the list goes. We should have stayed in Egypt where at least we had food to eat while we were slaves! Where are you in your life? Do you have a season you find yourself in and active with? The parables of Jesus use farming as some of their descriptions. If Jesus were to be here today in your life and community, what would he use for a parable describing your life? My life? Your children's lives? Would he find a good crop, attention to planting and growth, or a good harvest? These are all questions appropriate for the Christian to look at, understand and a cause of action in their lives. Will we be found tending the farm? That's up to you and I. There is no one else. It's just you and I. God waits for the faithful to stand up and do the job. What's your harvest going to look like?
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