Revelation or Reality?

There was once a group of farmers. They were each given a small plot of land and special seed for a specific crop chosen just for them by the Master. The seed was contained in packets which described the sowing procedure and included much delightful information about the crop along with pictures of what was to come. The farmers dug up their plots and prepared their soil, planting and watering their seed carefully as instructed.

After a while, one of the farmers began to wonder if he had left something undone. The little bit that was visible looked nothing like the pictures and to his eyes showed no promise. When he questioned the Master he was told to patiently wait. But as more time passed, he felt very idle and foolish so he took a trip to see how one of his neighboring farmers was doing. When he saw his friend's packet and pictures he exclaimed, "Truly this seed is of great value!" So the first farmer took one of his neighbor's packets home and decided to plant it. Of course, he had to dig up part of the plot he had originally sown but perhaps this seed would have better results.

Meanwhile, he read all he could until he could describe completely every detail of this new seed and its crop. This knowledge was exhilarating to him and he began wondering what other crops the Master had. So he decided to visit several other farmers where he continually discovered increasingly interesting packets. Why, the possibilities were endless!

Meanwhile, his poor plot was alternately untended and then torn up for reseeding. None of it ever had a chance to come to fullness and by now, the original seed was long destroyed. The frustrated farmer turned his energies to visiting and studying more and more. He was fast becoming an expert on all the Master's crops and could teach so well about them that farmers came from miles around to hear him display his knowledge. How they marveled at all the revelations he had of the Master's provisions. Surely he had become the Master's choicest servant in the eyes of many (including himself!)

But then, one day, some travelers, weary and hungry, came to him in search of food. The farmer eagerly began teaching them about all the crops the Master had provided and showed them many pictures and seeds. After they listened a while, he wished them well and they departed wondering and shaking their heads.

"If this man has so much seed, why can he not feed us real food?", mused one. "And did you notice how thin he was?! Why, he's no better off than we are even with all his seeds and pictures and knowledge", remarked another. "I don't think he has a very good Master", they both concluded.

Just then they reached another farm. This farmer had only his original packet and knew nothing of all the other wonderful crops or how they grew. Oh, he had received some from his friends who had grown them and had greatly enjoyed them while giving some of his own in return. Seeing the travelers hunger, he quickly offered up what he had of his harvest. The guests knew nothing of how the crop had come to be and did not need to, for though simple, it satisfied them. So they were very thankful to the farmer and his Master.

Before leaving, one of the men asked their host about the first farmer. "Oh, he is one of the Master's most gifted servants! He not only knows all about my crop, but everyone else's too. Surely his reward must be great", replied the humble host. At this, the travelers were amazed! They could not believe that both farmers had the same Master and that the first could possibly be more valuable than the one in whose presence they sat.

Finally one Traveler, who had been so quiet that He had gone almost unnoticed even to His fellows, spoke and said, "I was hungry and you fed Me, thirsty and you gave Me drink. I am certain your reward is far greater. In fact, I declare to you this day that the first farmer shall be last. He shall have no reward from the Master." He spoke with such authority that the farmer rejoiced and later told his friends what the Traveler had said. All who heard it returned with renewed diligence to their own fields.

Dear ones, has God deposited His seed in the soil of your heart? Is what you see unlike the picture or vision that came on your "packet"? Has the waiting seemed so unbearable that you've tried to fill the void with others' revelations? Through this parable, I believe the Holy Spirit is saying, "It is better to have just one 'crop' birthed of God ‑ one Word made flesh than all the knowledge and revelation in the world."

We live in an age where there are so many conferences, tapes, books, so much seed to sample that many Christians have left their fields and gone "packet" collecting, amassing knowledge of God instead of His manifest life. But a starving world is awaiting true Bread. You only have a portion to give. And because we are a Body, if we are functioning properly, each one will bring forth his part for the good of the whole while receiving needed substance from one another. So many Christians think they must do it all and be it all. They may sound good but they have no substance. I believe God is calling us back to our own fields where we must quickly finish our assigned tasks before the night falls and all work comes to an end. It may mean waiting before Him in a society which is performance oriented. But God is about to bring forth His harvest for all who will be faithful with whatever seed He has given them.

And, now may the Lord of the Harvest bring forth His many crops through His many servants and provide substance for the waiting world. The lost cannot and will not respond to words and revelations but to demonstration and power. We are to do exactly what Jesus did ‑ the works of the Father. Is that worth waiting for? Yes! Even so, come quickly Lord! Fulfill Your Word in our day ‑ fulfill Your Word in us. Amen!