Wikipedia defines land mines as “A land mine, or landmine, is an explosive weapon often concealed under or camouflaged on the ground, and designed to destroy or disable enemy targets.”  I believe this is how Satan defines those of us who are sold out to Jesus Christ.  We are, or certainly should be, Satan’s greatest threat.

Wikipedia further defines land mining as “Mining is the extraction of valuable geological materials and minerals from the surface of the Earth.”  In Matthew 9:38, Jesus told his disciples that “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”  As Believers, we are called to the purpose of mining the land that God has prepared.  A distinct and easily definable purpose opposite of landmines!

The paradox of mines is that one mine, created by humans for the destruction of humans requires hard work to deploy, buried under the surface of what appears to be beautiful land for purpose of death and destruction.  While another type of mine is for the purposes of ‘harvesting’ minerals needed for life and life’s support in the form of heat, materials, medicines, food and on and on.  One designed for destruction and the other for sustaining.  Both requiring use of earth and soil.

There is an old hymn that says, “wherever he leads, I’ll go.”  Great!  Really?  What if this old hymn’s lyrics were changed to “whatever the task, I’ll do it?”  I ask this because I am finding most Kingdom work does not involve bright lights, lavish stages, loud bands, controlled environments and eloquent speakers.  I find myself in rooms with eyes looking back at me with expectation and sometimes desperation.  With needing on top of wanting.  I often find myself across from brothers of the faith, desperately clinging to landmines buried under the dirt, meant for their destruction, being interpreted as minerals for life.

Sometimes we’ve got to be a minesweeper, using caution to not explode what God created for good while accepting the call to “Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God.”  Isaiah 40:3 (NLT)

I certainly don’t consider myself a farmer, but I have had some experience in harvesting.  I have walked behind my papaw with a metal bucket, picking up the harvest as he guided his mule with a single blade plow, turning the dirt to reveal the potatoes that lay under the ground.  I always marveled at what lay inches under the surface of that dirt.  Potatoes were a staple in those Southeastern Kentucky hills of Appalachia and they were buried as cut up pieces with the faith and expectation of the harvest to come.

“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.  Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning;…”  1 Corinthians 15:33-34

I am learning that maturing spiritually  involves growing in discernment.  And I am finding that my personal discernment depends wholly on my understanding of who God says that I am and what His plans are for my life.  I do know that I see fields ripe for harvest and have a difficult time separating the wheat from the chaff.  Meaning the good and fertile soil from the temptation of the Worldly mirage of fields filled with “happiness” that are laden with life landmines designed to “steal and kill and destroy.’  (John 10:10)

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”  Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)

Use caution and faith to land on the mine that God desires for your life.  Be bold in the harvest “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Let’s go!  You’ve got this.