Lessons From A Cornfield
Did you know there is a biblical principle to live by in every kernel of corn? Let’s talk about what every farmer knows: we reap what we sow. And the difference living this truth out in our life will make.
Right now, if you travel through Lancaster County, the cornfields are golden. It’s harvest time here, and the cornstalks are beautifully dried out, and the corn clinging to the stalk is too. Because this is feed corn and silage, the corn and stalks are harvested together.
I love corn at harvest time. When the wind blows through the dry stalks, it sounds like the rustling of a taffeta ball gown. It’s amazing what you can learn about life from a cornfield.
Taking a drive through Lancaster County with my car window rolled down this time of year is a treat! Listening to the sounds of the corn is almost spiritual for me!
It’s really amazing to think that 5 months ago, a farmer sowed one kernel of corn into fertile ground, and in that short time, the kernel went from a seed to a large stalk of corn with two ears on it with hundreds of kernels of corn! I bet my neighboring cornfield has hundreds of thousands of kernels of corn! A big payoff for the farmer!
The cornfields of Lancaster Co. have so much to teach me and you, too!
Did you know that God’s word has a lot to say about sowing and harvesting? Because it was written to a people who lived off the land in an agrarian society. God related spiritual truths through everyday things in their lives.
Here is what God says about sowing and reaping…
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that will he also reap. Gal 6:7
There are so many biblical truths in this one verse.
The first Biblica truth is… the promise is in the seed.
Our farmers do not worry that planting a corn seed will produce something other than corn. He knew that a corn seed would produce corn. Not potatoes, or strawberries, or grapes, or donkeys. Only corn!
We can look at the seed to see what harvest is promised. So …
the promise is in the seed
The seed will always tell us what we have planted and what we will harvest. This is a very good thing to keep in mind because it is a biblical truth. Remembering this little phrase will help you yield good and keep from dealing with an unwanted crop.
We too are sowers. We sow thoughts and actions in our lives. So we need to be careful what we sow! Just like the ancients and the Lancaster Co. farmers, we need to look at the promise in every seed!
Listen to more from Galatians…
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap from the flesh corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians: 6:7-8
If we sow evil and selfish things, we will, in due time, reap corruption.
Corruption in the Greek means destruction and death. So, if we do what is right in our own eyes and care more about things that satisfy our senses, we can be sure that it will lead us down a path of death!
The ancients had this example all around them. And we who live in agricultural areas do too! A farmer would never sow bad seed or weeds in a field, for he knows he will reap that in huge numbers. And they need a good harvest to survive.
God says if we sow to the Spirit, things of God, we will reap eternal life. I’d say that is a huge good harvest!
Looking at the promise in the seed, what it promises the harvest to be, is really about life and death. It’s about making the right choice.
Let’s read on in Galatians…
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap from the flesh 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. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6: 7-9
Farming is backbreaking work. Especially for the ancients! Farming took discipline. It is much easier to be lazy. And the closer to harvest the harder farming became. But the wise ancient farmer knew that he must plant good seeds for a good harvest. It was a matter of life and death to them.
This is a great lesson for us. God tells us in Galatians not to grow weary of doing good. Our good works are good seeds. For when the good works we sow have fully matured, we will reap a harvest. But we cannot give up. We must fight a battle against our own flesh and evil. Just like the farmer, sowing good spiritual seeds is hard!
There is so much corn ready to be harvested. Almost as far as the eye can see. The farmers have been diligent. They have planted good seeds and very soon will reap a good harvest.
I pray, like our farmers here in Lancaster, that you and I will continue to remember the spiritual truth about sowing and reaping. We need to rededicate ourselves to look at the seed we are sowing in our lives and to remember the promise is in the seed, for good or for evil! Lord, help us to plant only good in our lives and the lives of others!
Scripture to live by:
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap from the flesh 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. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6: 7-9
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Thank you for this wonderful post, your picturesque words of Lancaster County and perfect reminder to all . May you and your family have a Blessed week
My husband is a corn farmer and it’s been a tough year. Drought, equipment breakdowns, expenses not anticipated. Yet he is a man of faith and trusts that God had a plan. Prayers to all farmers, may they reap bountiful harvests.
Thank you for the reminder to pray for our farmers Bre!
Loved the lesson, beautiful pictures and your caring spirit.
I found dried miniature corn kernels in my fall decorating stash. I want to plant them in the spring and anticipate their fall harvest.
Yvonne, thank you so much for that word. It really helped! You and your blog are a special blessing.
God bless you Judy!
Your blog is indeed a blessing. Thank you for sharing God’s word.
Thank you Judy! Praise God for His blessings!
Amen, Yvonne! I really enjoyed your “Lessons from a Cornfield” devotional today. I, too, am going to take a closer look at the seed I plant so that I will be a blessing to those around me!
Have a blessed week, Yvonne! I continue to thank God for you and for all the lives you touch through your Sunday devo.
Mary Ann, God bless you! You have been my long distant friend for so long. I love when I see your comments. They make my day!
Thank you for for Sunday blog. It is very special and you have a great gift of telling the Bible lessons that we all need to hear.
You will reap what……. It’s also the cultivating during the growing season, from infant to senior.
Thank you Yvonne,
I do not why but at present I am in a spiritual desert.
Thank you again
Carol x
Hi Carol, we all go through desert times. Just stay close to God by reading and studying His word and keep crying out to Him for spiritual closeness! I just prayed that for you too.
Hi Yvonne ,
Thank you for your payers .
Your email lightened the day .
Awww! That made my day! I heard a friend say about her conversation with someone else, “This is not my burden, it is for God to take care of. I’m just doing the right thing. Words to live by in any circumstance.
As a longtime reader of your blog, Yvonne, I appreciate the thought and genuine love you put into every word. One of my spiritual gifts is Encouragement – and I believe you too have that gift. Often, even we cheerleaders feel alone, challenged, and need a boost. At an older age where we may be married, caring for two or three generations perhaps with health issues; or widowed, divorced, or solo by choice, we too often feel alone. We are not weak compliant people pleasers, but strong women who choose to please people and ourselves. My years of women’s bible study groups were thought provoking, spiritually rewarding in my walk with God, and socially enjoyable on the surface. However, few women would gather beyond the classroom. For now, I will continue to seek groups within another church community. I divorced at age 74 with no children or family, and have healed from an abusive spouse who presents himself to the world one way and behind closed doors is opposite. Therapy rarely addresses narcissistic abuse. Your biblical reference to reaping what we sow couldn’t be more apt. Thank you for another beautiful Sunday message.
God bless you Char. May you heal in HIS arms.
Thank you, as always, for this beautiful Sunday message. I was recently driving through Lancaster County and saw all the beautiful corn fields. Today’s message really hits home for me. Wishing you many blessings as you go through this week!
Hi Rebecca, thank you! God bless your week too!