Trusting the Farmer’s Timing

As Christians, we will always face setbacks, hatred, adversity, trials, betrayal, temptations, and difficulties. But instead of focusing on what others do to us, we must focus on our own spiritual growth and how we can overcome through Christ who strengthens us. Adversaries will always be there — but we must learn to build ourselves in faith using the very stones others throw at us.I served as a missionary for two years in the northern part of Kenya. It was a Muslim-dominated region with high levels of terrorism, and the church I served had even been attacked by Al-Shabaab before. During my time there, I led our staff in Bible study and did my best to serve God faithfully. However, I began to face opposition from some of the very people I was leading. Things became so difficult that I was eventually transferred back to Nairobi — simply because they didn’t like me. I was deeply hurt and confused. I couldn’t understand why such things were happening to me while I was serving God in one of the most dangerous places.Returning to Nairobi was not easy. I had no house to go back to because I had left all my belongings up north, and it was too expensive to transport them. My wife was pregnant, and we had no place of our own, so we had to live at my uncle’s house for three months. During that time, I went through a very difficult season emotionally and spiritually. I kept asking God, “Why am I going through all this after serving You faithfully? "At that time, I didn’t understand. But now I do. God was preparing something good.After returning to Nairobi, I received sponsorship and joined seminary — something I had been dreaming of for a long time. Now I realize that God was not punishing me; He was redirecting me. What felt like a setback was actually a setup for my next level. What looked like rejection was God’s redirection. Truly, God turned my situation around for my good.Jesus told a parable about a farmer who planted good wheat seeds in his field. But while everyone was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. When the plants grew, the workers noticed the weeds and asked if they should pull them out. The farmer said no, because removing the weeds might also destroy the wheat. Instead, he told them to wait until the harvest. At that time, the weeds would be collected first and burned, while the wheat would be gathered into the barn.

The Meaning

• The farmer represents Jesus.
• The field is the world.
• The good seeds (wheat) are the children of God.
• The weeds are those who follow evil.
• The enemy is the devil.
• The harvest is the end of the age (Judgment Day).
• The harvesters are the angels.

Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of God. 

His Kingdom has already come to us, but in this first parable of the weeds, we learn that even though the Kingdom is already present, the time for judgment has not yet come. Jesus came to gather those whom the Father has given Him. He does this through His atoning sacrifice, His death, and His resurrection. By this, He gathers His righteous people before the time of judgment comes.We can see that the timing of this began all the way back in Genesis 3, when Satan brought evil and sin into the world. But even then, God gave us a promise in Genesis 3:15—the first prophecy of the coming of Jesus. In His first coming, Jesus came to restore the broken relationship between God and man through His sacrifice on the cross. But in His second coming, He will bring final judgment. He will destroy Satan, evil, sin, and even death itself, once and for all.

The Lesson

God allows the wheat and the weeds to grow together for a season. Sometimes, He allows us to stay among challenges, enemies, or difficult people — not to destroy us, but to grow us. So often we ask: “Why does God allow injustices, corruption, and evil to exist in this world? Why do wicked people still prosper? "The answer is this: God’s justice has not failed — He is waiting for His perfect timing to bring judgment through His Son, Jesus Christ, at His second coming. The Bible tells us that when Jesus returns, He will judge Satan, his angels, evil, wicked men, sin, and death — and they will all be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). The farmer told his servants to wait until the harvest before uprooting the weeds. Likewise, evil may seem to have won for now, but God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Right now, there are still many of God’s chosen people who have not yet been saved. The drunkard you see, the prostitute you condemn, or the criminal you despise might be among His chosen ones. Remember Paul: once a murderer, but God changed him. That’s why we must be patient and wait for God’s timing.

Focus on Growth, Not Judgment

As we continue to grow in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of our Lord Jesus, we should not focus on our enemies and situation surrounding us, but on ourselves. It is not in our power to judge or condemn others. That belongs to the Farmer — Jesus. The real question is:

• Am I sowing good seed?
• Am I reading the Word of God and allowing it to bear fruit in my life?
• Do I have the fruit of the Spirit?
• Am I obeying God’s commandments and living as He says?

This is what truly matters — serving God and serving others.

Conclusion

What looked like rejection in my life turned out to be God’s redirection. Sometimes, God closes one door not to harm us, but to guide us into His greater plan. So let us not be discouraged by adversity. Let us not lose faith when people oppose us. Instead, let us trust the Master Farmer, who knows how to separate the wheat from the weeds in His perfect timing. The challenge is this: Will you let trials make you bitter, or will you let them make you better? Will you focus on the weeds around you, or will you focus on growing as wheat in God’s field? Remember: rejection may just be God’s redirection.