I was a freshman in college when I learned this lesson. I was helping dad on the farm that hot summer. I remember the morning I slipped quietly into the house. Everyone was sleeping, I thought. It was still dark when I eased into bed. That was precisely when the alarm clock went off. Time to get up, get ready and go to the field.

I remember dragging around the house until it was time to go. I ate my breakfast sandwich in silence as dad drove us to the farm. I was waiting for him to say something… he never said a word until he stopped at the edge of the field, “Close up the field and I’ll pick you up here at noon. Don’t forget your water.” As he drove off, I stood looking at the 200+ acre rice field. With my shovel over my shoulder and my thermos in my hand I said to myself, “Oh, this is going to be “tuff.” It was a hard lesson. But it took only one time. 60 years later I thank dad for his wisdom and the way he loved me.

God says things so well. Listen to this powerful wisdom from Hebrews 12:5-11,

““My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

There is work to be done. Choosing Him first, thinking of what He wants before ourselves, requires self-discipline. If I will not discipline my thinking and actions, He will. Over the years God has lovingly dropped me off at the edge of the field, handed me the shovel and later picked me up at the top of the field.

Followers of Christ are called to be in shape and ready for action. Jesus told us, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Luke 10:2

Know for certain His Promise, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” Revelation 22:12