Abundance In The Bush - Country Devotions PART 2Sample

Speed Bumps

Prolonged, heartbreaking droughts sapping spirits and energy. Raging rivers swallowing stock, destroying fences and vegetation. Devastating bush fires. Finances stretched so tight, doubts are cast on long term viability. Monthly bills that boggle the mind and stress the family. Complicated Government regulations that pressurize every resource - time, people and money. Difficulty securing reliable, affordable workers. Social isolation.

Life on the land has more corrugations than a water tank. But for those who love the country, it’s full of rewards. Optimism and courage are daily tucker for country folk: strength of character and the grit to overcome setbacks - a “she’ll be right mate” attitude; believing there will be a positive outcome for the work and money they invest; believing that their product is good; sticking together through the tough times.

A Christian farmer said, “My faith supports my farming, but more broadly, enriches my life. To know that God has gone before me means that I need not be fearful, that I can endure many things and that it’s not all up to me. It also allows me to give thanks. We’ve been through a severe drought and great personal hardship. Having an enriched spiritual life means that when the challenges come along the speed bumps don’t seem so big.”

You can live without many things on the land, but hope isn’t one of them. The hope you have in God is your divine ‘shock absorber’ for life’s speed bumps. God gives you belief in yourself, courage to pull you through the tough times, strategies and wisdom in managing your business, and the knowledge that the best you can do is good enough. When God is your partner on the land, hope reigns, hallelujah!

Lord, this life sure has its challenges, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but on the land. Life doesn’t get much better than this. Thank You! Amen.