Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say. 24 When a farmer ploughs for planting, does he plough continually? Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil?
25 When he has levelled the surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cummin?
Does he not plant wheat in its place,[c]barley in its plot,[dand spelt in its field?
26 His God instructs him and teaches him the right way. 29 All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent. Isaiah 28:23-26, 29
I’ve often thought that the hugely important role of counsellor is a little bit like being a farmer. These verses of Scripture contain at least three crucial verbs which ought to be the watch words of any skilled counsellor: ‘listen’, ‘hear’ & ‘pay attention’. Isaiah is reminding his hearers of God’s real intent in ploughing – fruit! God, like a counsellor with a client, isn’t just digging for digging’s sake! Not at all! He digs so that he can plant, so that he can grow, so that he can reap. It’s all about the fruit at the end, not the digging at the beginning – digging tough is crucial if there is going to be fruit. In the short term, this can be painful, but in the long term, always profitable. As verse 29 says, God’s desire through all the digging, growing and harvesting is that we will experience his wonderful plans and magnificent wisdom.
Prayer Points –
- that CT would becomes even more effective in listening, hearing and paying attention both to clients and to the will of God for their ministry.
- that as Counsellors engage in the ‘digging process’ that there will be great fruit.
- that CT and their clients would know the reality of God’s wonderful plan and magnificent wisdom
Chris Brockway – Christchurch Baptist Church
