Fruit Baskets and Crop Failures

Dr. Cal Guy was the Professor Emeritus of Missions at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX at the time of his death. Dr. Guy influenced thousands of young preachers and missionaries with his down home style and personal concern. Dr. Guy was a very wise man with a keen sense of mission and missions. He often used illustrations from the rural farming community where he pastored while serving at Southwestern.

As has been true of every generational change in Southern Baptist life he had many students that clamored for new methodologies and structures. Dr. Guy responded: “It does no good to repaint the fruit baskets when you are having a crop failure”.

Surely, we are facing a crop failure in souls, both in America and around the world. The increasing lost condition of our culture is alarming. However, “repainting the fruit baskets” (restructuring or streamlining) will not solve the problem. The answer lies in pastors and churches of all sizes returning the simple Bible plan of sowing and reaping.

One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 126:5-6:
Ps 126:5-6
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Until our churches experience genuine revival, that changes our lives and makes us like Jesus. Until we renew our commitment to personal soul winning. Until following Jesus becomes more important than anything else in life. It will not matter what color we paint the fruit baskets, there will be no harvest.

Attempting to connect the dots…

Wayne
Romans 1:16

Quotable:
“If we are not careful we become like the Australian who received a new boomerang for Christmas and nearly killed himself trying to throw the old one away.”

-- Dr. David C. Hall, Sr.