A week or so ago was harvest day for corn. It’s a bit tricky to hit just right: when the corncob is filled out and mature, but not so mature that it has slipped over into tough. Mom used to check the corn by pulling back the husk just a little to see
the state of the kernels. But, my experience is that if I decide to check the corn, the raccoons decide the corn is ready and they demolish the entire patch overnight. So I try to gauge the dryness of the silk and the fullness of the ears from the
outside. I missed it just a little this year. The corn was just on the verge of being too ripe.
There’s something very thrilling and satisfying about husking corn. You never quite know whether the cob will be completely filled out with rows of tender kernels or if a corn worm will have helped himself to the bounty. This year all of the time and effort of planting and weeding and trying to keep the critters from eating it was definitely rewarded.
But I couldn’t help thinking about how, like judging a book by its cover, it’s almost impossible to know what the corn is actually going to look like before you pull back the husks. And, similarly, it’s almost impossible to know what is going on in a person’s heart. Oh, we get some clues from their actions and their words. But just like the plumpness of the ears gives no indication of whether a corn worm is busily munching away inside the husk, we really don’t have any idea of the state of someone’s relationship with God - not truly.
All we see, from the outside, are hints, which may or may not lead us to an accurate conclusion. While each of us are tasked to be a light and to bring glory to God through our words and deeds, our hearts remain truly exposed only to God (1 Samuel 16:7). Unfortunately, even knowing that doesn’t stop us from looking at others and wondering about the motivation behind their actions. Have you ever caught yourself saying (or thinking), “Why did he do that? I wouldn’t have done it that way. What was he thinking?”
Shucking corn this year left me with five conclusions:
I love harvesting from the garden. I love how God can take an ear of corn and use it to draw me closer to Himself. That’s what makes all of the time and the effort worth it - and I get to eat fresh fruits and vegetables as a bonus.
the state of the kernels. But, my experience is that if I decide to check the corn, the raccoons decide the corn is ready and they demolish the entire patch overnight. So I try to gauge the dryness of the silk and the fullness of the ears from the
outside. I missed it just a little this year. The corn was just on the verge of being too ripe.
There’s something very thrilling and satisfying about husking corn. You never quite know whether the cob will be completely filled out with rows of tender kernels or if a corn worm will have helped himself to the bounty. This year all of the time and effort of planting and weeding and trying to keep the critters from eating it was definitely rewarded.
But I couldn’t help thinking about how, like judging a book by its cover, it’s almost impossible to know what the corn is actually going to look like before you pull back the husks. And, similarly, it’s almost impossible to know what is going on in a person’s heart. Oh, we get some clues from their actions and their words. But just like the plumpness of the ears gives no indication of whether a corn worm is busily munching away inside the husk, we really don’t have any idea of the state of someone’s relationship with God - not truly.
All we see, from the outside, are hints, which may or may not lead us to an accurate conclusion. While each of us are tasked to be a light and to bring glory to God through our words and deeds, our hearts remain truly exposed only to God (1 Samuel 16:7). Unfortunately, even knowing that doesn’t stop us from looking at others and wondering about the motivation behind their actions. Have you ever caught yourself saying (or thinking), “Why did he do that? I wouldn’t have done it that way. What was he thinking?”
Shucking corn this year left me with five conclusions:
- Who am I to judge another man’s servant? (Romans 14:4) I need to be very careful of making assumptions about why someone is doing what they’re doing. I might be totally off-base. And in reality, it’s not any of my business; I have more than enough to keep myself occupied with why I’m doing what I’m doing.
- What kind of fruit am I developing - is it full and ready for harvest or full of worms? At the end of the age, will God be pleased with how I have used the time and the talents He’s given me? Matthew 13:47-48 indicates that God doesn’t keep all of the fish! I must be diligent to be found in Him! (2 Peter 3:14)
- What kind of hints do I express to the world around me? That is, does the outward expression through my words and deeds accurately reflect my inward reality? I don’t want to be good at play-acting; I want to honestly be a trustworthy vessel to be used by Him. (2 Timothy 2:21)
- The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). I need to prayerfully ask God to help me view myself through His eyes and to realize that He’s still working on my sanctification; I need to renew my zeal to seek Him with all of my heart.
- God loves me. I’m not an ear of corn which is merely consumed; I have been bought by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:20). Many scriptures reflect God’s immense love for means me and all who are in Christ: Psalm 139:14; Romans 8:38-39; Isaiah 43:4; Colossians 3:12; Jeremiah 1:5; John 3:16.
I love harvesting from the garden. I love how God can take an ear of corn and use it to draw me closer to Himself. That’s what makes all of the time and the effort worth it - and I get to eat fresh fruits and vegetables as a bonus.
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