It was a 100+ humid August day. I didn't really want to be in the hay field but I had no choice. Byron needed help. I was hot, tired, and thirsty!
Byron had his problems too. He was missing Cole. He was use to Cole knowing exactly what needed to be done. Cole knew his hand signals. Need I say that in the hay field sometimes we have a communication problem?
Byron had given me instructions on how to rake the field. Hay was sparse due to the drought we had been experiencing. He needed me to rake the field a certain way in order for him to have enough hay for the baler to pick it up. The hay also had to be raked a certain way to give him room to turn the tractor.
I followed his instructions. Or so I thought until I got that "look" from him and I knew somehow my efforts were not right. I was fuming inside! Couldn't he see that I was trying! I was having myself a real nice pity party and getting angrier by the minute.
Then I heard the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Who knows more about tractors? Who knows more about putting up hay? Who knows more about raking the hay to get the results he needs?
I could sense that Holy Spirit was saying to me, "You have misunderstood. Why get angry with Byron? Find out what you misunderstood and gain understanding. Isn't it better for you to learn and gain understanding from someone who knows what they are doing, rather than being mad because you didn't do it right."
I repented and did find out what was it that I misunderstood and how to do it the way it needed to be done.
But that incident also got me thinking about how we treat God.
God the Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the creator of the universe has all wisdom and understanding. Yet how many times do people get angry at God thinking He failed them when all along they misunderstood teaching and failed to follow instructions that would lead to abundant life.. Rather than getting angry they should stop and go back to their creator and ask for understanding.Wouldn't it be better to ask their Heavenly Father, "Where did I miss it? What did I misunderstand? Show me what step did I take wrong."
When we aren't seeing the results in our life that we think we should be seeing let us go the Master who knows the end from the beginning. Let us go to the Master who is the author and finisher of our faith. He has a good plan for us and He wants us to know His plan. But sometimes in our feebleness we misunderstand or make the choice to go our own way. Yet our Heavenly Father is patiently waiting for us to turn to Him, to gain understanding, and to follow His ways.
Wouldn't you think the creator knows the best way? I read a book "The Way of Cain" by Billy Rash. That was Cain's problem. He expected God to bless his efforts rather than make his life line up with the instructions God had given. We serve a God who is love. In His love He has prepared a way for us to experience His goodness but we must be willing and obedient to His instructions and leading.
It would not have done Byron any good to have "blessed" my efforts and just let me keep raking the hay my way just to make me feel accepted and appreciated. If I had continued doing things my way we wouldn't have gotten the most from our hay crop and it would have caused Byron unnecessary difficulty. It was much better for him and me in the long run for me to change my way to his way, After all he knew what he was doing. I am still learning.
Likewise our Holy Father knows the best way. It is much better for us to do things His way than expect Him to bless our efforts when our efforts are going the wrong direction. He sent us His Spirit to lead, teach, guide, council, and strengthen us if we will follow His voice. After all we are still learning! But He knows the way!
