The Ballestero Blog

Some Did, Some Didn’t

Fall is a beautiful time in Indiana. The farmers have little roadside vegetable stands set up that stay busy with city slicker customers looking for fresh produce.

By this time of year, most crops have already been harvested.  Well, except for maybe soybeans, pumpkins and the field corn.

The average crop of field corn is beautiful when it is harvested. Trucks can be seen hauling the yellow corn to the ethanol plants and to the local Co-op.

For the most part, all the ears of corn look very much alike. But what catches the eye, are the ears of corn that don’t look like the others.  Some cobs are full with golden kernels; others are not. There are ears of corn of varied lengths and descriptions. In every truck load.

What these ears of field corn have in common, is that:

• They all were planted by the same farmer.
• They all were purchased at the same feed store.
• They all were planted in the same field.
• They all received the same amount of fertilizer.
• They all received the same amount of sunshine.
• They all received the same amount of rain.
• They all received the same amount of wind.
• They all received the same amount of weeding.
• They all received the same amount of irrigation.
• They were all planted the same day.
• They were all harvested the same day.
• They didn’t all turn out the same.
• Why?

Was it difference the farmer’s fault? Was the problem with the seed, or was it the soil? I’ll never know. The harvest shows the disparity of each ear.

There is another harvest that comes to mind. That one is a Harvest of Souls.

Apostolic churches are beautiful in spirit and worship. They are lovely in holiness and truth. Their love and fervor for the name of Jesus is without equal.

Yet, not every church member looks and acts the same. Here and there exceptions are found in every congregation.

• Some don’t pray like the rest.
• Some don’t worship like the rest
• Some don’t pay tithe like the rest.
• Some won’t dress like the rest.
• Some won’t live like the rest.
• Some won’t be faithful like the rest.
• Some won’t witness like the rest.
• Some don’t love holiness like the rest.
• Some won’t obey God’s Word like the rest.
• Why?

What made them different from all the others? How come others connected with God, the church and the pastor and they didn’t? I can’t answer that, and you may not be able to either.

• They all went to the same church.
• They all sang the same songs.
• They all prayed at the same time.
• They all had the same pastor.
• They all heard the same sermon.
• They all received the same encouragement.
• They all received the same correction.
• They all were given the same love.
• They all were given the same hope.
• They all attended the same revivals
• They all came forward to pray at the end of the service.

Yet some got on fire, and others did not. Some submitted to God, and others did not. Some got a good experience of the Holy Ghost, and others… who knows?

Some lived a life of carefulness. Others did not. Some looked godly. Others did not. Some dressed modestly. Others did not. Some knew God. Others… who knows?

Some women had uncut hair. Others did not. Some men were clean-shaven. Others were not. Some always said ‘Amen”. Others did not. Some had a fiery testimony. Others did not.

Some day, some will hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” Others may not.