Lessons From A Cornfield
Did you know there is a biblical principle to live by in every kernel of corn? Let’s talk about what every farmer knows: we reap what we sow. And the difference living this truth out in our life will make.
Did you know there is a biblical principle to live by in every kernel of corn? Let’s talk about what every farmer knows: we reap what we sow. And the difference living this truth out in our life will make.
Right now, if you travel through Lancaster County, the cornfields are golden. It’s harvest time, and the cornstalks are beautifully dried out, with the corn clinging to them. Because this is feed corn and silage, the corn and stalks are harvested together.
I love corn at harvest time. When the wind blows through the dry stalks, it sounds like the rustling of a taffeta ball gown. Taking a drive through Lancaster County with my car window rolled down this time of year is a treat! Listening to the sound of the corn is almost spiritual for me.
It’s amazing to think that only five months ago, a farmer sowed one kernel of corn into fertile ground. In that short time, the seed grew into a tall stalk of corn with two ears holding hundreds of kernels. I bet my neighboring cornfield has hundreds of thousands of kernels! What a payoff for the farmer.
The cornfields of Lancaster County have so much to teach me—and you, too.
Did you know God’s Word has a lot to say about sowing and harvesting? Because it was written to a people who lived in an agrarian society, God used everyday things in their lives to teach spiritual truths.
Here is what God says about sowing and reaping…
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that will he also reap. Gal 6:7
There are so many biblical truths in this one verse.
The first biblical truth is this: the promise is in the seed.
Farmers never worry that planting a corn seed will produce anything other than corn. One seed always brings forth what it is. Corn produces corn. Not potatoes, or strawberries, or grapes. Only corn!
We can look at the seed to see what harvest is promised. Because the promise is in the seed.
The seed always tells us what has been planted and what the harvest will be. This is a good truth to remember. Holding on to this little phrase will help you sow good and keep from reaping an unwanted crop.
We are sowers too. We sow thoughts and actions into our lives. So we need to be careful what we sow! Just like the ancients and the farmers here in Lancaster County, we must look at the promise in every seed.
Listen to more from Galatians…
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap from the flesh corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8
If we sow evil and selfish things, we will, in time, reap corruption.
Corruption in the Greeks means destruction and death. If we do what is right in our own eyes and care more about things that satisfy our senses, it will lead us down a path of death.
The ancients saw this lesson all around them. And those of us who live near farmland do too. A farmer would never sow bad seed or weeds in a field, because he knows he would reap that in abundance. A good harvest was necessary for survival.
God says if we sow to the Spirit, the things of God, we will reap eternal life. That is a great harvest!
Looking at the promise in the seed,what it promises the harvest to be, is really about life and death. It’s about making the right choice.
Let’s read on in Galatians…
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap from the flesh corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season, we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6: 7-9
Farming is backbreaking work, especially for the ancients. It took discipline. It was much easier to be lazy, and the closer to harvest, the harder the work became. But a wise farmer knew he must plant good seed for a good harvest. It was a matter of life and death.
This is a lesson for us. God tells us not to grow weary of doing good. Our good works are seeds. And when the good works we sow have fully matured, we will reap a harvest. But we cannot give up. We must resist our flesh and the temptation to do evil. Just like a farmer, sowing good spiritual seeds is hard.
There is so much corn ready to be harvested now. As far as the eye can see, the farmers have been diligent. They planted good seeds, and very soon they will reap a good harvest.
I pray, like the farmers here in Lancaster, that you and I will remember the spiritual truth about sowing and reaping. Let’s rededicate ourselves to look at the seeds we are planting in our lives and remember: the promise is in the seed, whether for good or for evil. Lord, help us plant only what is good in our lives and in the lives of others!
Scripture to live by:
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap from the flesh corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6: 7-9
Happy Sunday, friend…
Thank you for this wonderful post, your picturesque words of Lancaster County and perfect reminder to all . May you and your family have a Blessed week
My husband is a corn farmer and it’s been a tough year. Drought, equipment breakdowns, expenses not anticipated. Yet he is a man of faith and trusts that God had a plan. Prayers to all farmers, may they reap bountiful harvests.
Thank you for the reminder to pray for our farmers Bre!
Loved the lesson, beautiful pictures and your caring spirit.
I found dried miniature corn kernels in my fall decorating stash. I want to plant them in the spring and anticipate their fall harvest.
Yvonne, thank you so much for that word. It really helped! You and your blog are a special blessing.
God bless you Judy!
Your blog is indeed a blessing. Thank you for sharing God’s word.
Thank you Judy! Praise God for His blessings!
Amen, Yvonne! I really enjoyed your “Lessons from a Cornfield” devotional today. I, too, am going to take a closer look at the seed I plant so that I will be a blessing to those around me!
Have a blessed week, Yvonne! I continue to thank God for you and for all the lives you touch through your Sunday devo.
Mary Ann, God bless you! You have been my long distant friend for so long. I love when I see your comments. They make my day!
Thank you for for Sunday blog. It is very special and you have a great gift of telling the Bible lessons that we all need to hear.
You will reap what……. It’s also the cultivating during the growing season, from infant to senior.
Thank you Yvonne,
I do not why but at present I am in a spiritual desert.
Thank you again
Carol x
Hi Carol, we all go through desert times. Just stay close to God by reading and studying His word and keep crying out to Him for spiritual closeness! I just prayed that for you too.
Hi Yvonne ,
Thank you for your payers .
Your email lightened the day .
Awww! That made my day! I heard a friend say about her conversation with someone else, “This is not my burden, it is for God to take care of. I’m just doing the right thing. Words to live by in any circumstance.
As a longtime reader of your blog, Yvonne, I appreciate the thought and genuine love you put into every word. One of my spiritual gifts is Encouragement – and I believe you too have that gift. Often, even we cheerleaders feel alone, challenged, and need a boost. At an older age where we may be married, caring for two or three generations perhaps with health issues; or widowed, divorced, or solo by choice, we too often feel alone. We are not weak compliant people pleasers, but strong women who choose to please people and ourselves. My years of women’s bible study groups were thought provoking, spiritually rewarding in my walk with God, and socially enjoyable on the surface. However, few women would gather beyond the classroom. For now, I will continue to seek groups within another church community. I divorced at age 74 with no children or family, and have healed from an abusive spouse who presents himself to the world one way and behind closed doors is opposite. Therapy rarely addresses narcissistic abuse. Your biblical reference to reaping what we sow couldn’t be more apt. Thank you for another beautiful Sunday message.
God bless you Char. May you heal in HIS arms.
Thank you, as always, for this beautiful Sunday message. I was recently driving through Lancaster County and saw all the beautiful corn fields. Today’s message really hits home for me. Wishing you many blessings as you go through this week!
Hi Rebecca, thank you! God bless your week too!
I love your Sunday posts and look forward to reading them every Sunday. Sometimes I wish my other bloggers would take a break on Sunday but not you.
Thank you Yvonne
Thanks, Debbie! God bless you.
This devotional beautifully connects farming to spiritual truths, making the biblical principle of sowing and reaping deeply relatable. The vivid imagery and practical reminders encourage mindfulness in our choices. Thank you for this insightful and inspiring reflection.
May God grow you and bless you.