“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” Titus 3:8
“Catch that chicken and you win an egg!” For the second time this summer I found myself at a farm. In comparison, BOTH places had animals and barns, but this one was very different. It was a ranch set up to farm FUN not food! The occasion was a celebration party for 2 of my grandkids with birth dates in August. Even though the weather was hot, most didn’t notice much.
Games and activities were centered around the goal of making kids HAPPY. Chasing and catching chickens was a big highlight. There were separate pens for petting bunnies, riding horses and painting ponies! A barn with picnic tables and fans was set up for eating cake while horses looked on. A separate building was used as an air conditioned disco where we all ended the celebration with ‘The Chicken Dance!’ It was a blast! Then I made an offensive statement to the owner!
Though I know a little bit about farming, I am not a farmer. Hearing a noise behind me I turned to face a big, fat miniature hog! He was so fat, his stomach dragged the ground when he walked! Turning to the owner, I simply said “that one looks ready for bacon!” The look on his face was all I needed to see to know I had committed the Fun Farm faux pas! “We don’t eat our animals,” was his reply! Then silence!
I have friends that are farmers. In fact, their sons just took their steers, which they have lovingly raised all year, to the fair. They were washed, leashed and then paraded before a crowd of on-lookers who bid to buy them based upon comments like, “THIS Angus will produce some GREAT tasting steaks!” NO one was offended! Not even the boys who owned them. What was the difference? Very simply… goals!
EVERY believer who trusts Jesus Christ for salvation is called to devote themselves to ‘doing good.’ Things that are ‘excellent and profitable’ in “GOD’S” eyes. That means we are called to talk, teach, preach and model the things that are important to God. ALL of us are called to let the world know the Good News of Salvation in Christ and to teach Godly living. It IS possible that some of us can be called good, even when we aren’t doing the serious work of our master.
What are YOU farming and for whom?
