James 5:7 — Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
The Jones’ family farm is located in Spout Springs, Virginia (near Appomattox). Every Summer my parents would drive me up to the farm from Princeton, West Virginia to spend a week with my cousins and also to get a taste of farm living (read hard/hot/manual labor)! I can recall looking at a row of beans that looked as if it went from Spout Springs to the Atlantic Ocean! It did not take long for me to know I never wanted to work or own a farm! However, it did give me a great appreciation for farming and the fruits of that labor.
James’ admonition to the Christians to be patient and wait is just as true today as it was 2,000 years ago. Many people (Christians included), can not wait for Christmas to arrive. They enjoy the presents, the food, the family and the fellowship. Yet, they feel empty when the day is done. Why is this?
I believe it is because they did not take the time to “plant” the proper spiritual seed. Advent is the time for planting and feeding your soul as you prepare yourself for the spiritual journey towards Christmas! Daily prayer, scripture readings and active participation in Worship are all part of the “rains” that nourish our spiritual walk.
We can not expect to harvest growth with the Holy Spirit unless we are willing to invest our time and talents in preparation for the coming of our Lord!
Won’t you join me this Advent in working the fields with our labors and waiting on the “Spiritual Rains” to grow in faith?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the season of Advent. Help us to prepare ourselves again for the coming of your son Jesus Christ. Allow your Spirit to rain down on us and feed us with that living water so that we will never thirst again. Amen
Marv Jones
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