A defining moment in my life happened a few years ago when I was praying and I said to God, “Forgive me for living in my own strength and wisdom.” And the Holy Spirit immediately spoke to my Spirit, “You’ve never done anything in your own strength and wisdom.” One of my prayer mantras is Acts 17:28: “In Him we live, and move and have our being.” God is the one who animates and sustains us whether we recognize it or not. Every firing of our synapses is a miracle of God. He gives us oxygen to breath and thoughts to think and energy to work. And He provides all the raw materials.

So today I read something interesting that is a slightly different angle on this truth that “nothing is really MANufactured.”

A few years ago, the Associated Press released a study done by an agricultural school in Iowa. It reported that production of 100 bushels of corn from one acre of land, in addition to the many hours of the farmer’s labor, required 4,000,000 pounds of water, 6,800 pounds of oxygen, 5,200 pounds of carbon, 160 pounds of nitrogen, 125 pounds of potassium, 75 pounds of yellow sulfur, and other elements to numerous to list. In addition to these things, which no man can produce, rain and sunshine at the right time are critical. It was estimated, the report went on to say, that only 5 per cent of the produce of a farm can be attributed to man’s efforts.

I find that fascinating! Let’s keep working like it depends on us! But let’s also pray like it depends on God. I’m not sure it’s a 50/50 deal Maybe it’s 5/95.