Faith Of A Farmer

One thing is certain; our faith can get us through many adversities that come into our lives. It also sustains us every day, giving us strength and hope for our future. Life creates many obstacles that try ones faith, and few people must practice their faith on a daily basis like a farmer.

When a farmer mortgages his farm to buy seed and fertilizer just to be able to plant another crop, he has to have faith that his crop will give him the ability to repay that loan. Even dropping seed into the ground is an act of faith. Although I know, science can explain how a seed sprouts to make a plant, and how that plant matures to produce its intended purpose. Even so, it is in and of itself an act of faith to drop that seed into the ground expecting a future harvest.

Few things can test a farmer’s faith like the weather. His prayer has to be for the right amount of rain and sunshine, temperatures that are favorable and no strong storms that can ruin his crops. Unfortunately, while perfect weather can help a farmer have a record crop, a good dose of bad weather can shatter hopes and dreams in a short period.

My grandfather once told me of an experience that shows just how much faith one farmer could have. In the little north Georgia community of Mount Pisgah, farming was a necessity to survive. Even though there were automobiles, at the time few owned one. So many still rode on horses or a horse and wagon.

This particular year a drought had really taken its toll on the areas crops and future livelihoods of many people in the community. Being a very close-knit community there was a call to prayer one afternoon at Peavine Baptist Church. Given the urgency of the moment entire families showed up for this very important time of prayer.

One old farmer really understood the reason he was attending the service. As he got down from his horse, he proceeded to remove his saddle so he could take it with him into the church. Being extremely curious about his reasoning, several of the men asked him why he was taking his saddle off, and his answer both amazed them and showed how much faith one man could have. Without a hesitation he looked at these men and asked them, “are we not here to pray for rain”? My prayer is that in all things I can exhibit that kind of faith.

Many times our faith is tested, and sometimes inadvertently, we can even forget just how important faith is in our lives. I hope that the faith of one old farmer who rode to church on a horse can teach us all the power of believing as we pray.