I remember driving across Kansas on I-70, headed to college in Manhattan (the little Apple, not the big one). And every so often I’d pass a sign that said something like, “One Kansas farmer feeds 27 people.” I can’t say, for sure, the number was 27. But it somewhere in that range. But nowadays those signs say something like 257 people. Regardless of the number, it’s nothing short of awesome how a farmer can exponentially multiply the seed he gets.
And it’s awesome so many farmers are still willing to multiply the seed they get.
Because, unfortunately, American farmers have more and more “powers” working against them.
But I think a lot, maybe even most, of those farmers understand the value of life much more clearly than the rest of the population. Because they tend to so much life on a daily basis. And not merely their own. I’m talking about the lives of their animals and crops. Yeah, there’s life in every cell of every living thing. From humans to cows to corn.
And farmers have to be much more keenly aware of the needs of those different lives. Like how much feed to give the animals. How to store enough to get through the winter. And how much water and soil additives for the crops. Because those farmers know that if they don’t do a good job, some people might not have enough to eat.
But enough about farmers, for now. Because as I recalled those signs next to the highway in Kansas, I thought about something even more important than how well those guys can multiply the seed they get.
Where do they get those seeds they multiply?
Sure, your first thought might be the local feed and seed store in the town where they live. And you’d be a little bit right. But that doesn’t explain where those feed and seed stores get their supplies.
And that could get us started in a vicious circle. Because some might say, “Well, the feed and seed stores get their seeds from farmers who grow them.” But then we’re right back to “Where did the farmers get ’em?”
So, how do you get out of that tautological conundrum? (my two dollar words for the day)
The solution is, as always, go to the source. Go to the one “who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food.”
There are tons of figurative and literal references to seed and seeds in the Bible. And that’s because life is found in the seed. But the life in a seed that can turn into wheat which can turn into bread which can sustain your life is no accident.
That life in an indescribable gift from God.
The moment you were conceived, you were given the indescribable gift of life.
Do you still ponder the age-old question, “What’s the meaning of life?” Well, ponder no more. Because without an uncaused first cause (aka: original source of life), the meaning would be whatever you decide. But that’s problematic because there are billions of other individuals who’d probably disagree with you.
And I probably don’t have to tell you where ideological disagreements lead. Right?
So, of course, the solution to that problem is to have an absolute standard.
Uh-oh. There’s that offensive word.
Absolute.
You’ve probably heard that old (stupid) quote: “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Or you’ve heard some version of that. But I called it a stupid quote because it’s not true.
And people who hate God love to use that quote. Because they believe it shows the danger in putting your faith in a God who has absolute power.
But power does NOT corrupt you. Your heart does. Or, at least, it can. And most often does. But God’s heart is holy, pure, and righteous. And He doesn’t wield His absolute power over life arbitrarily and capriciously. (oops, a couple more two dollar words slipped out) In fact, He gives us a choice to multiply the seed of life…or not.
So, what makes God trustworthy? One word.
Love.
His undying love for His creation. You. And me.
It’s that love that supplies the information needed to establish life in even the smallest of seeds. Because the eternal life of, and from, God can’t be contained. And He wants you and me to share that amazing fact with everybody.
So, grab yourself a piece of toast. Slap some grass-fed butter on it. Or sizzle up a sea salt and pepper, savory ribeye. Take a few seconds to be grateful to the farmers who grew the grains and cattle. And thank God for life and love.
Because without them nothing else would matter or even exist.
If you believe an afterlife,
Where someplace better is
Waiting for us all some day,
Then you might fail the quiz.
A test of faith and evidence
With questions for your soul.
I urge you to look into it.
False ideas take their toll.
© 2020 Tony Funderburk
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