A Point Of Light
Crop failure
By Rick Edwards 

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7-9

Wouldn't life be a lot easier if you could blame everything bad that happens to you on someone or something other than yourself? It's my parent's fault or it's my past, or my boss, or my DNA, or . . . whatever? Scripture is pretty clear on that ballot: "Be not deceived . . . whatever a man sows he also reaps" (Galatians 6:7).

This sowing and reaping principle comes directly from the farm. Seasons of planting and watering and weeding from April through August turn into seasons of harvest in September and October. The farmer will receive the kind of crop that he has planted and cared for. He reaps what he has sown.

So what have you been planting? What seeds have you sown in your marriage, with your kids, in your finances, in your walk with God? Whatever you've planted is what is going to grow. If you planted corn, you're going to get corn-don't expect wheat to come up. For good or for bad, the harvest you are reaping is the fruit of your past choices.

I am very aware of the weight of that principle. Consequences of a bad crop are hard to accept. Lest it seem in any way like this word is coming from a callused heart, please let me assure you that it is not. Our rationalizations and excuse-making and our blaming it on others keeps us in bondage. But when we step up and admit, OK, this is a consequence of something I've done, things I've said, priorities I've pursued, choices I've madethis is the harvest of a seed that I've planted, then we can begin to experience God's grace flowing into that recognition.This is truth that sets you free.

You can't do anything about last year's harvest, but you can change what you will reap this year. "But what if I've already got some really bad stuff in the ground?" Well that's the thing about farming - God is not mocked and there's no crop failure coming. Whatever you've planted is what is going to come up. Ask God for the grace to persevere through those consequences and start making good choices. Be the person God wants you to be for every season to come.

Peace, Pastor Rick. Rick Edwards is pastor of Murphy First Baptist Church.