We look at cattle, a lot! We look at cattle everyday, really. Somedays, husband and I will just jump on the four-wheeler or side-by-side in the afternoon, and ride through the cattle for relaxation. I know, it’s weird. We talk about our day or whatever is coming up; sometimes we talk about the cows. We make decisions on who should go and who should stay. It’s our time together. Yesterday, we did this as a wind-down from a full weekend and on our way back to the house, I asked him to stop the buggy so I could get out and take a few pictures.
Like a lot of other times, I knew there was a Word brewing in my spirit. I looked at the pasture that was overloaded with cattle. We have brought home the entire herd from the winter pastures. All of the cattle are here at home while the winter grass is dying and the summer grass is trying to take off. There are a LOT of cows all together and it is pretty unusual for us to have most of them all in one pen.
Around here, on the farm, the work is never done. We start out the day with one plan, but typically by the end of the day, the plan has changed several times! Most days start early, and with the time change in effect, most days end late as well. Lights on at the barn, at dark, is a sure sign that the work isn’t done.
Some days the work that didn’t get done can be put off until tomorrow. But, other days there are things that just can’t wait. Whether it’s the bottle baby that needs to be fed at the end of the day or maybe it’s tractor work or a tire change for a piece of equipment that will be needed early in the morning, sometimes no matter how late it is, the work still has to be done.
The problem with some work is that it eventually gets too dark. There are some jobs that cannot be done at night no matter how many lights there are. There have been times that equipment couldn’t be brought inside the barn under the bright lights. Sometimes the parts that are needed can’t be gotten because the store is closed. Nevertheless, lights on at the barn after dark is never really a good sign!
I stood on the porch on this particular evening, looking at the barn with the lights on at dusk. More than likely, I was probably trying to figure out how late supper would be but, I overwhelmingly felt compelled to run and grab my phone and take a picture. After I had complied and taken the photo, I stood looking at the barn and wondered just why God would want me to take a picture of this particular seen. As I stood and prayed I heard him answer. It was just a nibble of a scripture that I couldn’t quite place.
I had to go read the words. John 9:3-5. Even Jesus understood that opportunities for service, ministry and doing good don’t last forever. He knew that he had to heal the man, even though doing this on the Sabbath would bring opposition against Him. He knew that His time was short and He had work to do….because night was coming and the work wasn’t done.
What a reminder! Night is coming. All day long, whether here on the farm or our other full-time jobs, we chase our tales with the knowledge that night is coming. You know it; you do it too! We hurry through the day knowing that the clock is ticking and we have things that we have to accomplish before we can lay our heads down on those pillows and fall asleep with the thoughts of the next day.
The work isn’t done though. In John 4:31-38, the disciples were trying to convince Jesus to stop and eat. Same thing as I was thinking standing on that porch that evening, “Come on husband. Stop working and eat. It’s time to end the work for the day.” But Jesus answered them and said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. “
If I had spoken to husband that night, he would’ve told me that he had things that had to be done. The work wasn’t done, there was lots to do and he would be home when he was finished. I probably would have sounded a lot like the disciples and complained that it could be done tomorrow…. Jesus shut that response down from them. He said, “You say we have 4 months until harvest. I say, the work isn’t done, the time is now.” ( The Heather translation!)
If we ever needed to hear those words, I believe it is today. The sun is setting, quickly. Night is coming when no man can work. The harvest is ready and the work isn’t done. In Matthew 9, Jesus went further to say, “The harvest is plentiful (there is plenty of work to do), but the laborers are few. Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers…”
I pray that each one of us would see that the work isn’t done. Let us not get complacent. Let us not believe the lie of the enemy that someone else will do it. Today, I pray to the Lord of the harvest, send laborers; send me! Father we know, that the time is short. You are coming soon. May I, may we all, work until the work is done. Pointing others to You, sharing as You lead. Amen.
