The Farmer and the Pious Man | Quality over Quantity
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. ❤️” 1 Samuel 16:7
Once, a pious man expressed concern to God, lamenting that farmers, who worked tirelessly all day, seemed to think of our God our Heavenly Father only briefly in the morning and at night. He questioned the sincerity of the farmers’ faith, believing that such fleeting moments of spiritual dedication were insufficient.
In response, God our Heavenly Father proposed a favour to the pious man. He was tasked to carry oil filled to the brim in their hands, walk around his house, and return without spilling a single drop of oil. Eager to prove his devotion, the person accepted the challenge and completed it without any spillage, feeling accomplished.
God our Heavenly Father asked, “While you were engrossed in this task, did you think of me? And after finishing, did you promptly take a moment to pray to me, or were you merely absorbed in your achievement?”
Upon reflection, the pious man realized that his focus during the task had been solely on completing it, with little thought given to God our Heavenly Father. Moreover, he had taken pride in his accomplishment rather than make haste to give thanks and praise to God, our heavenly Father.
The essence of our devotion lies not merely in outward actions but in the state of our hearts❤️. The poor farmer, burdened with arduous work throughout the day, remembered our Heavenly Father in the morning and found time to pray after fulfilling his night-time responsibilities. Despite the limited moments dedicated to connecting with God our Heavenly Father, the farmer’s sincere intentions and genuine actions were significant.
Finally, the pious man understood the importance of cultivating a genuine and deep relationship with God our Heavenly Father, regardless of the poor farmer’s daily circumstances or time constraints.
In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness and neglect our spiritual connection with God. Sometimes I even may question the authenticity of my faith when moments of devotion feel limited and fleeting. However, even amidst hectic schedules, I am sure we can still find ways to connect with our Heavenly Father.
Like a poor farmer, the amount of time spent is not the sole measure of our devotion. What truly matters is the intention behind our actions and how we open our hearts to God. We can make use of brief moments throughout the day to nurture our relationship with Him. Whether we’re traveling, walking, or even stuck in traffic, we can reflect, pray, meditate on a short Bible verse, or engage in a silent conversation with God, sharing our joys, concerns, and desires.
We can also serve God in our everyday lives. By performing our work and daily tasks with love and service, we offer our efforts as a gift to our Heavenly Father. We can actively seek opportunities for acts of charity, kindness, and mercy, keeping the teachings of Jesus at the forefront of our actions. This way, our secular work becomes a participation in His mission of love and charity.
We can view our work, struggles, and daily activities as offerings to God, seeing them as acts of sacrifice and service. Even the simplest tasks can hold meaning and can deepen our relationship with Him. We should find fulfilment in all that we do, understanding that every action, no matter how small, has the potential for spiritual growth.
Throughout the day, we should acknowledge God’s presence in our lives through short prayers of thanksgiving and praise. Recognizing His abundant love and grace, we can express our gratitude. As St. Therese Lisieux quote, “You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.”
Above all, let us remember that it’s the quality of our intentions that genuinely matters, rather than the quantity or frequency of external actions. Just as we would fully engage with a loved one during a meeting, we should be fully present and awake in God’s presence. Let’s prioritize a heartfelt connection with our Heavenly Father as we embark on the new liturgical year, nurturing a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Him.
God Bless All.
Written by Kit Lee