I grew up in rural eastern North Carolina in the midst of farm country. My granddad was a farmer. It was what he knew; it was what he taught my dad; it was what my dad taught me. I could think of no better place to have grown up. Still today, I pity those who did not enjoy the life I knew on the farm. Life on the farm taught me invaluable lessons – many serious, some humorous, all necessary for a successful life.
(1) You must be willing to work hard.
Anyone who has spent even a few moments on a farm knows that it requires hard work. It is the kind of work which begins at dawn and ends when the sun goes down. Many days, the work even goes on into the night. Tending fields, feeding livestock, harvesting crops – the work is never really done. To have a successful farm, to put food on the table for your family, you must be willing to work hard.
It is the same in life. We have all been called to different positions in our lives. Whether it is in school, in the workplace, or at home, the job set before us requires hard work. Artists, athletes, musicians, businessmen, and homemakers all have a job to do. Regardless of where that job is or what that job entails, we must be willing to put forth our best effort. Only then will we see the results we desire. “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” (Proverbs 14:23 ESV)
(2) You must learn to work together and share the responsibility.
Our farm was family-owned and -operated. No individual could handle all of the work by himself; it required a total family effort. Each member of the family had to do his or her part or else the farm would be doomed to failure. I remember, at about three years old, standing in a muddy field with my family while we picked potatoes in the early morning light. We could not do it on our own; we needed the help of those around us – in this case, our family.
We were not meant to go through this life on our own. Life is far too hard to face as an individual. God has surrounded us with friends, mentors, co-workers, and pastors so that we do not have to live this life solo. We have been given people who are willing to pour truth and wisdom into our lives. We must embrace those around us who are willing to work for us and with us. “A friend loves at all times, and a relative is born to help in adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17 NET)
(3) Do not make friends with the livestock; they will eventually end up on your table.
At this point, you may be thinking that I have lost it…but stick with me. We had a bull on our farm which we affectionately named Dante. Someone must have forgotten to tell Dante exactly what being a bull was all about, because he was quite possibly one of the friendliest animals I have ever known. (This crazy animal loved to be scratched under the chin!) One day, Dante mysteriously went missing from our farm. About a week later, our freezer was full of the freshest beef you can imagine. Much to my despair, I realized that I had found the missing Dante. I have several more stories just like this one (which should explain my very un-Southern distaste for fried chicken.) After much heartache, I learned why my dad advised to not make friends with the livestock.
This may be a stretch, but I have heard it said “If you play with fire, you will get burned.” I believe the same principle applies here. There are some things in life that are good when kept within its boundaries. Once those boundaries are crossed, we often find ourselves living with guilt and regret knowing we had been forewarned but failing to heed those warnings. “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?” (Proverbs 6:27-28 ESV)
You see, growing up on the farm taught me so many lessons – ones I have carried with me throughout my life. Some lessons have not been so easy; others I have put into practice on a daily basis. No matter what the experience, I believe God can and will use the lessons learned to shape us into who He desires for us to be.
