Growing Corn

 I don't know much about growing corn.  I've picked up a few things over the years since moving up here, though.  

I've learned how to recognize corn from soybeans, for example, at a relatively early stage.  (Yeah, I know it's not really a big deal to recognize the difference at this point in the season.)  

I learned an old phrase that helped farmers "predict" whether or not they would have a decent crop of corn. "Knee high by the 4th of July" used to tell them if the corn was on target for the year.

This year was a bit confusing for me, though.  Our neighbor's corn was not really knee high by the 4th of July.  I think all the rain was keeping it down.  Today, though, it's at least a head taller than me!  It grew fast!  This growing season reminded me that God is the only one who can accurately predict the harvest.  We "workers" simply need to do our part and let God do His. "So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow" (1 Corinthians 3:7 NIV).

The same is true in the church.  I'm excited to see God clearly at work in various areas around the Body of Christ at Life Bridge.

• We continue feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, clothing the naked, and visiting people in prison.
• More and more people are learning each week how to love from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
• We are connecting with visitors more consistently, serving more people regularly, and praying for everyone more specifically.
• Now, we are getting ready to worship at the Porter County Fair (July 26th) and reconfigure the building to prepare for more people in worship services.

Some of us are feeling an air of excitement that God is going to do something big - perhaps even quickly.  And that may be true.  But as we do what God is calling us to do, I am reminded that "quick growth" is not the measure we should be looking at in the church.  Faithfulness is.

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2 NIV)

The ministries that we are doing have been entrusted into our care.  God is counting on us to be faithful with them.  When we are faithful, God will call us "good and faithful servants," God will be glorified, and His Kingdom will come here on earth as it is in heaven.  That is a sight worth seeing.  More than that, it is a sight worth being.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:15-16 NIV)

Letting our light shine before people, though, isn't the reason to get excited either.  Church growth is fun and exciting. Working together as God's team is fulfilling.  Using our gifts for the glory of God is rewarding.  But the real reason for joy has already been given to us as a gift.

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:17-20 NIV)