Is God Plowing in Your Life?

"Does the farmer plow continually to plant seed? Does he continually turn and harrow the ground?"
(Isa. 28:24)

Yesterday in my blog I spoke of the testing of our faith from James 1. I want to follow that course for a similar result today. I believe that when we say "yes" to Christ as our Lord and Savior, God goes to work to transform us into the image of His Son. (Rom. 8:29)

My wife and I planted a garden this year with corn, tomatoes, okra, beans, watermelon, squash, and cucumbers, among other things. I was very resistant at first. My thoughts were that will be a lot of work, and it will really transform the appearance of our back yard. Most of my two acres is covered in trees and does not grow grass. My backyard has been the exception.

When the tractor began to turn the soil, it had a pungent smell and it wasn't nearly as attractive as the green grass that had been there. But we turned the soil and we planted seed. Then we have had to weed and feed the garden. Today we are enjoying the fruit of our labor, although it is mostly vegetables.

Sometimes God has to put the plow to our lives. It may hurt and it may not look as pretty at first. But God always does that with the view to the harvest. He wants to produce in you and me wonderful fruit of the Spirit. "Help us Father see things more from your perspective."

Testing Our Faith

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that thte testing of your faith produces steadfastness, and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)

James writes and tells us that tests and trials coming our way are designed to work in us God's purpose. WHen we trust Christ to be our Lord and Savior, God goes to work to shape us and mold us into the image of His Son. So James does not say, 'If" trials come, but "when".

God is not so much interested in our comfort as He is our Christlikeness. He is not focused on our happiness as much as our holiness. So James suggests we begin to think differently. When the trials come that are going to be used to shape and mold us, we should "Count it all joy". The original language of the text suggests something of a celebration. "Throw a party", he says. Indeed, cooperate with the Holy Spirit so that God can fulfill His purpose in your life.

Something that helps me is to remember that satan tempts you in order to bring out the worst in you, but God tests you in order to bring out the best. God will never allow greater trials than you can handle. And He will always walk through them with you.