Sometimes we’re called to work the fields.
Sometimes we’re called to work the fields.
Sometimes we’re called to work the fields
And sometimes to clean the stables.
Sometimes we’re called to till the soil.
Sometimes we’re called to till the soil.
Sometimes we’re called to till the soil
And sometimes to mend the fences.
Sometimes we’re called to sow the seeds.
Sometimes we’re called to sow the seeds.
Sometimes we’re called to sow the seeds
And sometimes to feed the livestock.
Sometimes we’re called to pull the weeds.
Sometimes we’re called to pull the weeds.
Sometimes we’re called to pull the weeds
And sometimes to store the silage.
Sometimes we’re called to gather crops.
Sometimes we’re called to gather crops.
Sometimes we’re called to gather crops
And sometimes to remove dead trees.
And when the harvest is complete.
And when the harvest is complete.
And when the harvest is complete,
We’re all called to celebrate it.
About This Song:
I was getting ready to go on a mission trip to Wales in 1993–right at harvest time. So it seemed appropriate to write this song to use there.
It’s inspired by 1 Corinthians 3:6-9. . .
6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
(NIV)
and by 1 Corinthians 12:4-7. . .
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
(NIV)
The primary goal of a farm is to grow and harvest crops to eat and to sell. That requires a variety of activities, some of which don’t have a direct connection to the harvest. Yet without people performing all of those tasks, the farm wouldn’t function well and the harvest would be poor. Perhaps even nonexistent.
As the body of Christ, the church consists of different members playing different roles, all of which are necessary to keep the church functioning. While the primary task of the church is to harvest souls into the Kingdom of Heaven, not every member plays a direct role in every harvest. Yet without each person’s part being carried out faithfully and thoroughly, the harvest would be a major disappointment.
But when someone walks forward to make a public profession of faith in Jesus, does anyone fail to rejoice just because he or she didn’t play a part in that person’s decision?
Not in my church. We may not all actively perform “crop-related” tasks, but that doesn’t keep us from rejoicing over each and every person we see enter the Kingdom.
~*~
Free lead sheets (lyrics, tune, and chords) are available for many of my songs. Click on the Lead Sheets tab at the top of this page to see whether one is available for this song. Videos for many of my songs, some recorded at home and some at our church’s nursing home ministry, can be accessed at my website, RogerBruner.com, under the Listen tab.
Look for me again next Wednesday. Better still, subscribe to receive these weekly posts by email.
Best regards,
Roger
Links you might be interested in:
As I Come Singing. . . 