There is nothing more basic to a rice farmer than his shovel. It goes where he goes. If it’s not over his shoulder as he walks across the field, it’s in his pickup. He uses it to open the levies to flood the field, to repair broken levies, to drain the field, and to kill snakes. One dear family/farmer friend used his to kill a wild hog charging him in his rice field. Shepherds have their rod & staff; a rice farmer has his shovel.

Rice shovels are unique. They have 3 holes to drain water and reduce the suction from the mud. The handle is extra-long to provide additional leverage when placed across the knee because of the heavy mud. Finally, it is essential to have a sharp shovel. I have two of my dad’s last shovels (shown in the picture). The shovel without the handle was the last of many shovels he wore out. The shovel with the handle was his very last shovel. These are Andy’s trophies. These are priceless treasures to me. The shovel will do nothing on its own…it takes someone’s work & sweat for it work.

As I think about it, God gave us His Word to use like the shovel. We find in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” It was so important to Jesus that He often quoted from the Old Testament. Jesus reprimanded the Jewish religious leaders with, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” Matthew 22:29. Think about it. Jesus, who quoted scripture, fulfilled prophecy of His Birth, Life, Death & Resurrection we find in scripture.

How sharp is your shovel (God’s Word in your heart)? Do you use His Word to guide you, provide clarity, defend your life? “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us (keep us sharp). And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” Romans 15:4

Are you worried & anxious about what is happening in the world? Know this, God is not! God is in control. Let’s reread Romans 15:4, “And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” Our Father is the Promise Keeping Almighty God. It is time to Focus on His Promises…to pick up your shovel (God’s Word) & go to the field. There is work to be done on God’s Farm, because “Every Soul Matters To God.”