Farming on the high plains is a daunting task. With little rain, hot summers and cold winters, growing anything other than weeds can be hard work. Fortunately, in many areas we are able to use underground water for irrigation. The green circles that the sprayers make tell it all. Where the land is watered you can grow almost anything; where it’s not, you can’t grow much at all.

I used this analogy in my Bible class at church when I was teaching about how the apostles carried their message to new lands. Our whole community has benefited from our active and mission-minded church. From members delivering meals to older people, to those collecting donations for those who have suffered disasters, we give of ourselves in time, money and effort to improve the lives of those around us – whoever they may be and from wherever they may come. To me, this way of putting our faith into action is an essential part of what it means to be truly Christian.

Unfortunately, the world always has had, and probably always will have, barren patches. But if we can make even one patch greener than it has been, then we are truly being Christ’s hands and feet in the world.

 

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to remember that our actions and not our words alone proclaim your power and grace to the world. Amen