As I write this, I’m seated on the second-floor balcony of an “under construction” home, soon to be filled with the pitter-patter of little feet (over 200 feet, to be precise.) Sipping hot chocolate, stretching sore muscles, watching the new day come into existence and spending my daily “quiet time” with the Lord, I have honestly NEVER felt closer to Him.
“…Through hard work you will eat from [the land] all the days of your life.” –Genesis 3:17
For the past few days, my team and I have grown to understand the nearness to God enjoyed by those who steward the land He has given us. Between chopping down trees (with machetes) cutting what in the states would be considered hay fields (with weed-wackers), burning brush, pruning orchards, weeding gardens and generally getting our hands dirty, twelve Mighty Women of God are building more than just our physical muscles. (Check out these snapshots for proof! 1. Ash on the weed-whacker; 2. Liz chopping down a tree with her machete; and 3. Becky prepping to rev up the bush-whacker.)
How could anyone observe the beauty of this Earth and fail to believe in the God who created it? The design of every tree, every crop field, every drop of water and especially of every man or woman is so intensely intricate; it would take far more faith than I can muster to trust that all life came into existence by way of some gaseous belch mixing with thousands-of-years-old matter floating around in outer space. NOT QUITE!
Walking across a field yesterday, sun beating down on me, sweat rolling in every direction, covered in grass and dirt, and fighting off every kind of insect known to man, I felt unbelievable joy. This is what I’m meant for!
God designed me to appreciate the tangible difference my hands can generate. He gave me a “blue collar” mindset and the truest of respects for the “working man!” I know no working man who goes about his task harder than the farmer, and I think Jesus recognized that – He made Agrarian references ALL THE TIME, and He charged man with the task of toiling over the land. Yes, it was a punishment, but honestly, I see it as such an honor that He entrusted us with stewarding His precious creation. Do I think I’m being called to farm? Well, MAYBE. Do I know a whole lot about what that entails? Well, NO.
But God does. 🙂
“He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” -Luke 10:2
The important thing is to be willing to answer God’s call, no matter what He asks. His will has no other option that to be done. Someone will love Him enough to dive ALL IN, get as dirty as it takes, work as many hours as needed and steward the project He has planned. If this month is any indication, the happiness gained from just saying, “Yes,” is well worth EVERY blister, thorn, sunburn, scrape, bruise or sting.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures…” –Psalm 23:2
Whether I’m lying in them or working in them, there is no place I’d rather be.
Be Blessed,
Ashlee
