The Barn

Luke 12:16-21 Then he (Jesus) told them this story: “The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’ “Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barn full of goods – who gets it?’ “That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.” (The Message Translation)

I love old barns! It has been a lifelong dream of mine to open an antique shop in a barn. So, when we purchased our farm over 5 years ago we began renovating our turn of the century dairy barn. We had the roof repaired and tinned, we had a new stairway built to the hay mow, we had the windows replaced and this winter we had a floor installed where the stanchions once stood. When the weather warms up, I will fill the barn with goods to sell. But, the first thing to go into the barn is Jesus. I have prayed over each step of the restoration process. Christian music plays over the speakers. Devotion books will be available for purchase. God is in this story! When our hearts are open to God’s leading, who knows where he will take you. It may even be to an old barn filled with God instead of Self.