October 28, 2025 | Be God's Family
Waiting for Crops
Scripture: James 5:7-9(NIV)
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
Devotional
When I was a kid, I grew and sold sweet corn as my first summer job. My dad would help me plow our back field and plant the seeds. I would fertilize and weed the two-acre patch one row at a time. I eagerly awaited the first evidence of ears and silks developing on the tall, lean stalks. The initial appearance of ears was highly dependent on rain. Though exciting, the real thrill came when the ears filled out to their full maturity. The process of moving from emerging ear to fully grown was also highly dependent on rain. Overly dry Indiana summer weeks and months could delay by many days the time it took for ears to be ready for sale.
Experienced farmers and gardeners understand this relationship, but to a preteen boy, the wait could be agonizing because every day that passed with no corn meant no Farmers’ Market money to purchase the trinkets of interest to a child with no financial obligations. Though summer rain showers meant no outdoors, out-of-school fun, I was always excited by the prospect of maturing ears of corn. The one comfort I always took was that even though I didn’t know exactly the date that my corn crop would be ready for sale (or to eat), at some point every year, it was time.
This short passage from James uses the farmer’s patience while watching for rain as an analogy of our wait for Jesus’ return. We will experience good times and bad, sickness and health, and wealth and poverty, but none of these periods will excuse the fact that His return is imminent. Patient waiting is important, but just like the farmer waiting for and expecting rain, other chores pertinent to our life’s calling remain. James implores us to be expectant, ready, persistent, and patient. Even though we don’t know the date, at some point it will be time.
Are you eagerly awaiting Jesus’ return? Does the prospect of His return bring you comfort or angst? Are you living into your life’s call while you wait?
Poem
Planting Wisdom
Proverbs 19
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
There’s much to learn ‘bout planting
Within our scripture’s core
A seed must fall onto the ground
And die, to bring fruit’s store
Good ground, it is essential
Good tending, water, too
But only God supplies the growth
Good fruit to then ensue
There’s pruning, thinning, discipline
To strengthen and mature
Abiding in the grounded vine
Full life God does insure
And patience, standing, waiting still
Like farmer in the field
For only in God’s timing does
The seed bring forth its yield
