Ramblings of a Redneck Farmer

One of the tractors we own is a Massey 275. On its good days it will put out about 64 horsepower. When it is tired, it puts out less.

It doesn’t have a cab. It does have a canopy, though, that is starting to rust. It leaks a little 90 weight oil out of one of the wheel seals. It leaks hydraulic fluid in several different places. The wiring and ignition is messed up. In fact it doesn’t even have a switch anymore, so I have to jump the solenoid on the starter to get it to start. I know, not the safest but I am careful.

It isn’t very big, especially compared to modern day tractors. It will pull a small square baler; I rototill garden plots with it. I brush beat with it. I can run a small no-till drill behind it. I can pull a small disk, a box blade, a rake, a smaller disc mower or something of the same size.

It won’t pull a sweep or a plow of any size but I can turn ground with a 3 bottom plow. It doesn’t have a GPS system. No auto-steer and has nothing but an old AM radio that doesn’t work anymore. I don’t think any of the gauges work anymore. The little Massey isn’t the only tractor we own, but it is by far my favorite to operate.

It might be because we are the same age. It might be because I have always liked Massey equipment. It might be because I have always liked the red and grey color scheme. It might be because I have found similarities between myself and that old tractor, and I find similarities between that old tractor and Christians and how God can use anybody to spread his word.

The old Massey isn’t shiny anymore. It has zero bells and whistles that the new equipment does these days. If I am backing up I have to do the beep beep noise. If you had to start farming a lot of acres with it you better get up before light and go well after dark. But you know what? It has never failed to start for me. It always shows up for work and is up for whatever I have for it to do. Too bad we don’t always do that when God has something for us to do.

I think we get lost sometimes in the fact that God can and will use anyone to get his point across. It doesn’t matter how rich you are. It doesn’t matter how shiny your paint job is. It doesn’t matter how many accessories you have on your model. It doesn’t matter if you have a little surface rust or if your floorboards are rusted clear through. It doesn’t matter if you blow grey smoke till you get warmed up. It doesn’t matter if your battery is running low on volts. The only thing that matters is that you get up and you show up – especially if you are a believer.

I help teach a Sunday school class full of well-seasoned Christians – people that are much more qualified to teach than I am. Some days, like today, I wonder why I am teaching when there is so much more knowledge in that room, and then I realize when somebody comes up to me and tells me what a great discussion we had, that I am just helping lead a discussion.

The Bible is full of characters, flawed characters, who God used to perpetuate his word. Probably no more flawed than Paul and look how God used him. He wrote most of the New Testament.

So if you aren’t shiny or don’t think you have the right last name, trust me God can use you. If you aren’t in the right economic class, God can still use you. If you aren’t popular, God can certainly still use you. You just have to get up every day and start. Start like that old Massey tractor. Start and show up to work.

Mark 10:45 says, “For even the son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” If our Savior came to serve, which he most certainly did, shouldn’t we? Just be like the Old Massey.

Everyone have a great, blessed week.