I noticed the 2026 theme for the Pennsylania Farm Show is "Growing A Nation." I do not know what the organizers have in mind for the the theme, but my take is that it has to do with growing teh produce that feeds a nation of people. I know very little about farming, but my understaning of the process is to test the ground to see if it has sufficient nutrients. If not, fertilize the ground to provide what is needed. Plant the seeds. Provide sufficient watering and warmth to create an environment for the produce toe grow. Provide more light as the produce begins to sprout. As growth begins, control the weeds, pests, or other issues that will try to stop the growth of the produce. Observe the produce as it becomes ripe (comes to maturity). Finally, you have the harvesting of the product. I am sure there is a great deal more labor than my simple analysis; however, for this page, I will work with that.
As I considered this phrase from a Biblical and theological perspective, I recognize the similarity between the care of the farmer in economically growing a nation with good food, drink, and many other products and the mission of the church in its proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Provide nutrients - The land must be prepared to receive the seed. I Timothy 2:1 tell us "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayer, intercession, and giving of thanks, be made for all men." To make sure the land is prepared to receive the gospel, it is prepared by starting with prayer.
- Sowing the seed - In Jesus explaination of the parable of the sower, in each of the synoptic gospels, he mentions the seed as the "word of God" or the "word of the kingdom." As he explains the response to the word of God, Jesus explains the condition of the heart as to how the seed is received and its impact on growth. That is why prayer preceeds the sowing of the seed.
- Watering - In the forth chapter of John, Jesus asked for a drink, but the woman at teh well indicated he had nothing to draw the water with. He indicated that he had living water to give that He gives will spring up into everlasting life. In the seveth chapter of John, Jesus spoke of teh Holy Spirit as being the living water that he gives. The Holy Spirit guides into all truth, and the Spirit of God is needed to have the seed, the word of God, grow in our life, community, and nation.
- Light - In the eighth chapter of John, Jesus expressed that he is the light of the world. By following Him, you would no longer walk in darkness. Paul's prayer for the church at Ephasis was, "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints."
- Growth - Ministry gifts are given by God that we "may grow up into Him in all things (Eph. 4:15);" as well as, that we may ..."grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18)."
- Maturity - The Apostle Paul told teh church at Phillipi (Phil. 3:12-14) "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect..." He was still in the state of growing in the knowledge of the Lord. In this life, we are constantly growing. "but I follw after, if that I may apprehend that for which also Ia am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of teh highcalling of God in Christ Jesus. Oh, to press toward the goal of the prize which is Christ Jesus!
- Harvest - When I think of the time of the harvest, I consider the parable of the wheat and the tares found in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. "The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in the field." Both that which is sowed is either if God or the devil. At the time of the harvest, the reapers. The tares are throne into the fire, but the righteous (Made righteous in Christ), shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
The prayer, and sharing the gospel of the kingdom and the word of God is to share God's love with a nation. This is to grow a nation in the love and service in the kingdom of God.