“He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11:4).
The wisdom of this passage is understandable when we apply it to everyday
life. If a farmer allows himself to become overly concerned with the threat of
strong winds, he will not be busy working to plant his crops. He will not bring
in a bountiful harvest if he is constantly worried about approaching storm
clouds. The wise farmer must sow and reap with a quiet determination. He must
keep his mind focused on his work without allowing potential problems or
dangers to distract him. This does not mean that the wise farmer is not aware
of the possibility of a storm and of a lost crop. He is not ignorant of those
things. He is aware, but he simply keeps himself from being distracted by it. He
doesn’t allow the fear or possibility of what might happen to keep him from
doing his work.
Do you ever find yourself considering something you want to do or should
do, but you hesitate because of the “what-ifs”? What if this or that happens?
Do you allow the uncertainties of life to become a distraction from taking
action? We sometimes become “paralyzed” by worrying about possible problems on
the horizon. When we do, we are like the farmer described in this figurative
passage. Observing the wind and regarding the clouds may keep us from sowing or
reaping.
Sometimes
we face life’s uncertainties as those who regard the clouds. We worry and fret
about what we will do if and when some hardship befalls us. We become fearful,
depressed, and despondent about what might happen. Any undertaking in life, whether in education, business, or personal
growth, may be hindered if we allow our worries and fears to stop us from
acting.
Application of the figure is no less true in our service to God. Jesus taught the importance of counting the cost of
discipleship (Luke 14:27-33). A king counts the cost of going to war. A builder
counts the cost of building a tower. But counting the cost must not deter us
from taking action. All who make the commitment to follow Christ will struggle
with faithfulness. All of us will face times of strength and times of weakness.
All of us come to Christ as babes, not as full-grown disciples. It is a process
of growth. But we must never allow the fear of struggles and difficulties to keep
us from serving Christ.
Changes in
life are always unsettling. As an old hymn says it, “Life is filled with swift
transitions.” They can be traumatic for anyone, including Christians. The
difference for the child of God is the way he or she views God’s promises for
his people. Christians believe that he will always be with us, and that he will
not allow us to face more than we can endure. Those who seek the kingdom first
do not need to be anxious; they will have the necessities of life provided
(Matt. 6:25-34). Don’t worry about tomorrow. God fulfills his promises through
our own faithful work, through the faithful love of our brethren, and through
his own providence in supplying our every need. That same old hymn ends with
the refrain, “Hold to God’s unchanging hand.”
We should
be realistic about life, understanding that life will present its challenges as
we face the future. But we must not allow our regard for the clouds to cause us
fail to sow, and thus reap the fruit the future may bring. “Let us not lost
heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”
(Gal. 6:9).
Dan Petty
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