SEED-TIME
AND HARVEST
Upon
awaking early this morning (June 2, 2013), it seemed I was coming out
of a dream-state in which I found myself focused upon the wild-cherry
tree, in our neighborhood. For a number of years I have enjoyed its
small black-tart cherries, even as I did when a lad, from trees, in
New Jersey. In youth I was ever foraging; apples, pears, grapes, wild
blackberries, wild blueberries, plums, dark cherries, wild
pie-cherries, and wild black-cherries.
In
our yard we had a huge black-sweet cherry tree, a grape vine, a white
peach tree, a seckle-pear tree and an ancient red-plum tree: This,
had early German-Settlers, cross-bred, by grafting a red tart-cherry
tree, with a purple plum tree. There were many such plum trees around
neighboring towns, which sprung from the Arndt Farm, in the early
1800's. Our home and large yard, had been built on what was once the
Arndt orchard.
We
lived “in-town”, but close at hand, in all directions were
abundant fields, farms, ponds and lakes; good fishing places, and in
Winter, good ice-skating locations. There were abundant wooded areas,
primarily Pine, Maple, and Red-Oak trees; many of which were quite
ancient; some being quite large. On the North-East end, our town was
bordered by the Rancocas (Lenate Indian, for: “Rapid Waters”)
Creek, which emptied into the Delaware River, bordering the
South-West end of town.
In
all these areas of my boyhood ramblings, there grew an abundance of
fruit trees, grape vines and berry bushes, mostly of the wild
variety. I thank and praise our Lord Jesus for the privilege of
growing-up in a such an historic and unspoiled area!
As
I focused upon the tree, just around the corner from our Parsonage,
on June 2, I perceived it, as when recently in blossom. During my
daily errands, I walked past this tree, and observed its progress
from blossom, to fully ripe fruit. After several days of rain, which
washed away the remaining blossoms, there was no indication of
embryonic cherries, on the blossom clusters. Within a week, tiny nubs
had replaced the blossoms: in the following weeks the nubs began to
appear more like micro-cherries, but still green and tiny. It is
difficult to imagine that these infantile cherries have evolved from
the delicate blossoms of only three weeks ago. More difficult is it
to realize, that within only 4-5 weeks, these tiny green entities
will evolve into fully developed ripe wild-cherries; soft, and filled
with juice and pulp, each hosting a large stone; which is each
cherry's germ of life within itself, where by it may reproduce in
like-kind.
This
is a Divinely designed self-perpetuation. Our Lord Jesus, the Great
Creator, has placed this capability within every molecule of His
creation. Even the most microscopic life-form, has this God-given,
inherent ability.
I
cogitated upon the fact that even in its blossom stage, each tiny
bud-nexus, contains within itself everything necessary for its full
development, all the way through to maturity; including the ability
to reproduce after its own kind.
Likewise,
have we, within our re-born spirits every element necessary, “to
become” a full-statured son; brought forth in the image and
likeness of Jesus Christ, God's Only Begotten Son; who is our Divine
Pattern and Example.
“The
blossom,” is typical of rebirth and regeneration. It is a harbinger
of the Harvest, which shall follow. Long before the appearance of any
likeness and identity to the mature fruit, the blossom serves to make
the proclamation that within it's cluster-stems, there is a
life-form, which (apart from an abortive factor), is designed and
destined to develop and evolve into the fullness, for which it was
created. This, of course must be achieved by a specific process of
growth, having incremental stages of development, pursuant to
full-maturity.
The
infantile and juvenile stages especially, of this process must not be
despised, in view of the fact, that each stage of development is
vitally essential unto the whole.
"For
who hath despised the day of small things?...” (Zechariah 4:10).
This
Divine principle is found in Genesis 8:22.
"While
the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and
summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”
Also
it is seen in Mark 4:28.
"For
the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the
ear, after that the full [mature] corn in the ear.”
This
process of maturation requires faithfulness and patience. (These are
two of the “Fruits of the Spirit!”) In every stratum of Creation,
does this hold true. There are no “short-cuts”; no manipulated,
rapid-acceleration methods, etc. The Divinely designed and mandated
Life-Cycle, is the only safe course to follow. We must be very
thankful that our Lord Jesus, brings each of us through these
Dealings, with his unconditional love, gentleness, and patience.
"He
shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with
his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those
that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11).
"And
he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify
the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may
offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness” (Malachi 3:3).
"Be
patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the
husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long
patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain” (James
5:7).
Should
we not thusly learn from His impeccable example, to likewise
relate to our own natural-children, and as well to our Spiritual
children, and Bretheren in Christ? (Even nature, itself, and the
Common-Law, subscribe to these tenets. One need only reflect upon
the Divinely-ordained pattern revealed in its various arenas, to see
more clearly this great mystery.)
"Look
not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of
others” (Philippians 2:4).
"Charity
sufferth long, [and] is kind...” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
"In
your patience, possess ye your souls” (Luke 21:19).
It
seems as only yesterday, that I was five years of age, and our dear
Mother decided it was time to teach Christopher and I to “Farm.”
Out-came the spades, and hoes, and a fertile patch back by the old
chicken coop was soon transformed into our “Farm”,
encroaching-up, into the side-yard. Soft, black earth, turned-up into
furrows, became “home” to sack after sack of various kinds of
Seed.
At
the head of each row, the seed-sack would be attached to a small
stake signifying what was there, planted. Mom, thoroughly explained
the process which would ensue, and the importance of not tampering
with the plantings. “Just water, and weed every day and the sprouts
will appear when they are ready!” Well, my child's mind
could not grasp this concept: how could a seed know when it was
ready? How could a seed know anything? What right did the seed have
to decide? It was my garden! I would do the deciding!
Day
after day, and not a sign of a sprout! “Well, I will fix that!
Bring out the watering pails: Fill'em up! I'll make these seeds
sprout! I'll show these seeds who is 'boss' around here!” In my
little mind, I believed that the more I watered them, the faster they
would sprout. Mom, very patiently explained the danger of
over-watering. To do so would not make the seeds sprout, but would
drown them, and cause them to rot. Then my curiosity got the best of
me and at times, I would dig-up some of the seeds to investigate
whether or not they were sprouting. Then, when the carrots sprouted,
I would dig some of them up to see how the carrots were developing:
Of course, I would “re-plant them”, thinking I had done nothing
amiss. Again, Mom, carefully lectured me, explaining that if I
persisted in pulling-up the seedlings and sprouts, they would be
traumatized, and not produce! (This was also difficult for me to
comprehend, but I thereafter ceased from disturbing the plantings.
Little
by little, they began to sprout: by mid-Summer, we were enjoying the
fruit of our labors. The garden proved to be a rewarding experiment,
in both experience and productivity for a most difficult lesson had
been learned: “Keep your hands off!” As a Pastor, also has
this principle been learned with difficulty! We so often feel such a
degree of compassion and “human-sympathy” for individuals, that
we are tempted to “get hold of situations”, and become a “Mr.
Fix-it.” We must learn to “Let go, and let God, have His
wonderful way!”
We
must learn to not tamper with, nor attempt to rush Our Lord's
dealings in the lives of His Children! Just as every type seed,
requires different growth conditions and a varying degree of exposure
to sun, wind, and rain: as well as a varying period of time for
gestation, sprouting, and growth unto full maturity; so also does
each person require a different amount of time and a different set of
circumstances and dealings to complete the entire process of
maturation.
Again,
this process requires time, great patience, protection,
attending-care, and conducive conditions. This delicate procedure is
God's own workmanship!
"I
will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous
are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psalm 139:14).
Neither
should we attempt to intervene of interfere in “assisting the
process,” lest we be found guilty of wreaking havoc and doing great
damage!
One
insightful scriptural rendering states: “. . . YE ARE GOD'S
TILLAGE . . .” (1 Corinthians 3:9).
PRAYER:
"Dearest
Lord Jesus: So teach us, and school us in the ways of your Blessed
Holy Spirit; bringing us into compliance with your perfect will, and
your impeccable example, and at last, into your Glorious Image.
Amen!”
____________________________________________________
WE PLOW THE FIELDS AND
SCATTER
We plow the fields, and
scatter the good seed on the
land,
But it is fed and watered by
God's almighty hand;
He sends the snow in winter, the
warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine, and
soft refreshing rain.
(Refrain)
All good gifts around us,
Are sent from heaven above;
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord,
For all his love.
He only is the Maker of all
things near and far;
He paints the wayside flower, He
lights the evening star;
The winds and waves obey him, by
him the birds are fed;
Much more to us, his children, he
gives our daily bread.
We thank thee, then, O
Father, for all things bright and
good,
The seed time and the harvest, our
life, our health, and food;
No gifts have we to offer, for all thy love imparts,
And, what thou most desirest, our
humble, thankful hearts.
- By Matthias Claudius, 1782.
