A Good Crop To Die On

I‘ve gotten to the age where the obituary line-up is becoming more age related and a personal magnifier of the inevitable reminder that mortality dwells within all of us. During a discussion with a friend the other day, he thirty years my elder, we concluded getting out of bed in the morning with the purpose of achieving something every day helps to keep one’s self off the honor role for awhile longer. When looking for something to write this week I came across a related story concerning Mother Nature. It seems a farmer and his friend, a city slicker, were walking around the farm – just kind of doing nothing. As the friend looked around, he was fascinated by an old gnarled apple tree. It had some limbs broken off, and lying on the ground, and obviously in its last stage of life before dying, but there it stood loaded with apples. “How could a feeble old tree like that have so many apples on it?” asked the friend. The farmer explained it this way: “Yes, it’s too bad the old tree is dying, but Mother Nature likes to have one good crop to die on.”


A crop to die on! Surely there must be a fable in this that teaches some great lesson. The most beautiful colors of nature are at the end of the year. Many times in the fall, as a youngster, I’ve walked among the beautiful colors of the maple, oak and elm trees. Are there more beautiful colors than those at the end of the day? If you live in flatland country it is a special privilege in viewing sunsets. There are evenings in South Texas when sunsets are spectacular. Colors are constantly changing in the blue sky when clouds are hues of crimson and gold. Even after the sun is out of sight its rays illuminate the clouds and streak the sky for long beautiful moments. The spirit of man was created to desire and feast upon such beauty. One cannot help but to be silent and drink in God.


[Proverbs 3] I suppose the moral of this story concern the end of our life. Our present culture puts a premium on youth, but we do well to remember that our culture is a creation of man, while nature is the creation of God. Very often the most creative, fruitful and valuable era of a person’s life is during the last twenty years. It is during this period that we have enough time to reflect and to think deeply. It should be a great time of rejoicing in that which is full grown. It is right for a young person to be clever and quick. Yet, it is the privilege of an older person to be wise and kind. Robert Browning was right when he said, “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be...” Old age is no time for the Christian to stop working and serving (Colossians 1:24-29). Old age can be a time one makes their mark on the world. Some begin a literary career and impact the world with their works. Some discover the artist within them and impact the world with their works. Others turn their full attention to the Gospel of Christ and bring souls to salvation impacting lives and perhaps even the world, for we never know how far-reaching the works of evangelism extend. “...the mob attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them (Paul and Silas) out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too” (Acts 17:5-6 NKJ).Christians have in their grasp the power to change the world, it is the Gospel of Christ, and we can make a difference in our world if we will just share the message with others. It is my prayer that we may bear the best fruits for the Lord in the autumn of our life. Before the beautiful sunset and our final journey home, may the Lord give us a “good crop to die on.” Amen and God Bless.