Pastor's Page

As I headed to the Bloomington recently, I noticed the fields, especially the soybeans. Some were a beautiful mix of gold and green, almost seeming like a field of golden flowers. Others were entirely dead with beans prominently on display. Looks like harvest season is finally upon us.

Last September, I had the chance to go in a field and ride with someone in a combine. I got a great lesson on harvesting beans and corn and what life as a farmer can be. In the year since, I've learned what a beautiful sight the dried out bean plants are. But I am still a city-girl in many ways; like much of America, I sometimes forget all of the hard work that goes into the food I eat. We forget the long hours and hard work all farmers go through as they also deal with time limits and weather delays.

Actually, I think farmers today understand the Israelites in a way that many do not. Much of scripture refers to harvest and planting both as metaphors and as ways to structure the year. Two of the three mandated festivals which would structure the calendar for them were based on harvest; Exodus 23:16 states "Observe the Harvest Festival for the early produce of your crops that you planted in the field, and the Gathering Festival at the end of the year, when you gather your crop of fruit from the field."Technology may have changed how we farm, but much is the  same. Plants still need sun and rain at specific times. We mightinfluence the seeds more, but growth and production are still in God's hands in so many ways.

So, we put it in God's hands. As the harvest season begins, I'm praying for all farmers and everyone who works in this industry; may God bless you with a safe and fruitful harvest.

Blessings and Peace, 

~Pastor Annie



 

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Pastor Annie McMillan