It’s easy to overlook how God enriches our lives through challenging circumstances. Growing up on a farm in central Texas, I was an eager beaver to learn how to operate big equipment, but didn’t always appreciate the hard work expected of me. Now, as I reflect on my youth, I realize how blessed I was to have had a good work ethic instilled in me by my father and grandfather.
My grandfather greatly impacted the development of my character. He was a committed Christian, a hard worker, and the most engaging storyteller ever. His twinkling eyes, descriptive language, and enthusiasm brought his stories to life. My siblings and I leaned in eagerly to hear his tales and be transported to the past. Dazzled by his brilliance, we took to heart the practical advice of his experienced wisdom. I learned a lot from my grandad.
I also learned a lot from the land, but it took me many years to recognize the application to my spiritual life. Let me share just two simple examples.
One day, Grandad Quinn was plowing, preparing the soil for the upcoming season. I was his five-year-old sidekick, running barefoot in the furrows. Ah, only one thing could be better than the fresh smell of overturned soil and the cool feel of it oozing between my toes—and that would be to drive that tractor!
“Grandad, when do I get to plow?”
“Son, you may plow when you can start this tractor.”
That big green machine started easily for him, so I grabbed the hand-crank and pushed and pulled till my face reddened, but the handle refused to budge. I repeated the challenge frequently over the next few years, but it wasn’t until I reached eight years of age that it finally turned. The motor sputtered and began to rumble. Yippee! It was my turn to plow.
Under Grandad’s watchful eye, I got behind the wheel and put the tractor in gear. My heart raced as I crossed the field, anxiously looking over my shoulder to see how I was doing, then forward again to see where I was headed. Back and forth I turned my focus, trying to produce a straight furrow. Reaching the end of the half-mile field, I hopped off the tractor, and jumped into Grandad’s pickup. We drove to the point where I had started, and my heart sank when we reviewed my results—I had plowed an S-shaped furrow into the soil.
“Grandad, how do I plow a straight path?” My voice trembled with disappointment.
“Son, find a target at the end of the field and focus your eyes on that. Don’t look back. You will plow a straight path.”
For my next pass through, I picked a large oak tree and kept my eyes focused on it the entire way. When we evaluated my second try, I was amazed to see how perfectly straight the furrow was—and all because I kept my eyes focused on that tree!
What was the spiritual lesson I eventually recognized from the land? “In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6 NIV). The furrows of my earlier life were crooked until God captured my attention and redirected my focus.
Son, keep your eyes on the tree—the Cross of Calvary, my heavenly Father impressed upon me. Focus on Him who died for you—the Author and Finisher of your faith. In all your ways acknowledge Me, and I will make your paths straight.
Now, I forget what is behind me and plow heavenward toward the goal of life eternal. I keep my eyes fixed on Him, and God keeps me on a straight path.
Another great lesson from the land took me even longer to appreciate. Our farm produced as many rocks as it did crops. As I grew older, I followed the footsteps of my ancestors in picking up rocks that worked their way to the surface each time the land was plowed. From sunup to sundown, we would pick up these field rocks, carry them to the tandem trailer till we had filled it, haul that load to the rock pile some distance away, then start the process all over again. We wore holes in our heavy leather gloves with this back-breaking process. Grandad would share amazing stories of how this work built many muscles in our family, so my brother and I tried to work with energy and enthusiasm, while eagerly anticipating suppertime, and a soft bed. And sure enough, over the years, we developed muscles to prove that hard work paid off.
I recognized the spiritual lesson from this land experience only recently, as I read Hosea 10:12. It says, “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.”
We all must allow the hardened areas of our hearts to be plowed up by the power of the Holy Spirit. This brings our rocks of sin to the surface, and we have to carry them to Jesus and cast them on His rockpile. As we repent by turning to Him, confessing our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9). This isn’t just a one-time action, and it requires His spiritual stamina to be infused in us. But with each repetition of acts of contrition, we develop our spiritual muscles of faith.
All our experiences and challenges are allowed by a loving God of infinite wisdom to teach us to become a little more like Jesus. Are you going through a difficult period? Stop now, and ask the Lord, “What are You trying to teach me?” There are lessons from the land He wants you to grasp as He works all things together for your eternal benefit.
