Bridge Builders: Visits with my patients big and small end with ...
What is a sheaf?
As a child, I loved singing, “Bringing in the Sheaves,” but I had no
clue what the song referred to or why there was joy in gathering sheaves. I later understood that a sheaf was harvested
grain tied into a bundle. Row upon row of standing wheat can be seen while
driving through farm country. Some
diligent farmer sowed seed in moistened dirt, thoroughly irrigated the ground
then patiently waited for the harvest. Despite drought, financial instability,
difficulty finding workers or personal illness or stress in the home, the
farmer tills the soil, pulls the weeds and puts down fertilizer knowing joy
will come at harvest time.
As a child, I loved singing, “Bringing in the Sheaves,” but I had no
clue what the song referred to or why there was joy in gathering sheaves. I later understood that a sheaf was harvested
grain tied into a bundle. Row upon row of standing wheat can be seen while
driving through farm country. Some
diligent farmer sowed seed in moistened dirt, thoroughly irrigated the ground
then patiently waited for the harvest. Despite drought, financial instability,
difficulty finding workers or personal illness or stress in the home, the
farmer tills the soil, pulls the weeds and puts down fertilizer knowing joy
will come at harvest time.
Psalm 126:5-6
5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
God promises joy when
we toil diligently in His field. The
Christian life is not exempt from pain.
Ministry involves sweat and tears.
How else can the ministry field be moisten and made ready for seed
without tears? The ground is more receptive and the seed is deeply
enveloped when moist. Tears soften the
heart producing repentance, prayer and humility where seed is more apt to grow
in abundance. Like a farmer, the field
initially appears barren but with perseverance, harvest time does arrive. All the work done will be tied neatly in
bundles standing in the fields. What joy
divine bringing in the sheaves!
we toil diligently in His field. The
Christian life is not exempt from pain.
Ministry involves sweat and tears.
How else can the ministry field be moisten and made ready for seed
without tears? The ground is more receptive and the seed is deeply
enveloped when moist. Tears soften the
heart producing repentance, prayer and humility where seed is more apt to grow
in abundance. Like a farmer, the field
initially appears barren but with perseverance, harvest time does arrive. All the work done will be tied neatly in
bundles standing in the fields. What joy
divine bringing in the sheaves!
P.S.: You must be over 50 years of age to have even heard this song before.
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