As I was driving down the road a couple of days ago, I noticed some hay in the field. There’s something about a hay field that stirs me.
Growing up on the farm, I’ve picked up my share of hay to make summer money and to help various farmers in the area. I always said that picking up hay would either make a man out of you, or take the man out of you, because it’s hard work. Really. Hard. Work. I have memories of finishing our day, with clothes drenched in sweat, bodies covered in chaff, and being completely wiped out because you don’t make hay in the cool weather. It was 100 degrees outside and about 130 degrees in the barn loft. I recall, on several occasions, busting our humps trying to get the hay baled, and then get it picked up out of the field and in the barn before the rain hit. Hay can be delicate, and the window of time to get it done is short, so you have to make the most of that time. If you piddle around, the chance to make hay will be over. We had to make hay while we could.
Proverbs 10:5 says “a wise youth makes hay while the sun shines, but what a shame to see a lad who sleeps away his hour of opportunity.”
Opportunities…. We all have them, but what are we doing with them? Are we “making hay” or “sleeping”? Like I said, making hay is hard work, but anything worth having is hard work, and God expects us to work hard in the opportunities He gives us. Our now entitled society wants something for nothing and would prefer sleep (i.e. laziness) over making hay. If we’re not careful, the body of Christ will let this mindset creep in and take hold. Funny, we want God to use us, but only if it’s easy. The opportunities He gives us are never easy, but it’s all the more reason for our need to rely on Him. What’s your opportunity right now? It could be:
-Reaching out to the family who just lost their loved one? They could use a loving hand/call/text/conversation for a while until the dust settles.
-Loving the one who’s difficult that no one wants to be around? They need to see unconditional love.
-The one who’s been struggling in their faith and questioning God because nothing is going right in life?
-A business/job opportunity that you’re wavering about?
-Mowing your elderly neighbor’s yard because it’s too hot for them to be out and the yard is a foot tall?
The list is extensive, and these are simple thoughts off the top of my head, but we’re usually griping about the opportunities or seeming lack thereof, instead of taking advantage of them. NOW is your time to act and let God use you. It’s not about you, but it’s about you…making the most of what He is giving you. When the rewards are passed out in Heaven, it’ll be noted exactly what we did with our time and our opportunities. If you’re sleeping, you better wake up. The sun is shining and God is expecting us to make hay. We're doing it for Him.
Let’s get at it…..
