On a couple of occasions, I have been able to spend a few days at the end of February visiting the International Agricultural Show in Paris. It is without doubt the largest indoor farming show in Europe if not the world. Each year over 600,000 visitors, about 1,000 livestock exhibitors, and 32,000 people involved with commercial stands, take part.
An international platform
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ream to be able to dander through the eight giant exhibition halls, which are laid out in four zones: Livestock, Food Products, Vegetable & Crops and Agricultural Trade Services. It is an event that will require more than a day if you spend any length of time with livestock exhibits or commercial stands. Each year, one of the 12 mainland regions of France is responsible for hosting the show, which gives them the privilege of displaying the food produce and livestock breeds that are specific or unique to their region. The show is a tremendous national and international platform for agriculture at which you will be made to feel very welcome.
The French government recognises that the show not only creates an opportunity to present the best of French agriculture to its European neighbours, it also encourages trade. The French president usually turns up and ensures that the citizens of France are aware of the benefits of spending public money on farming and the rural environment.
Yet, farming in France, as in other European countries, has contracted with many young people being tempted off the land by more attractive employment opportunities and lifestyles. So, it will come as little surprise to hear that this year’s theme at the International Agricultural Show is ‘Agriculture welcomes you with open arms.’ What a strong message of encouragement that will be sent to a generation of young people seeking a career or employment opportunities – ‘Agriculture welcomes you with open arms.’
A welcome for the 'weary and burdened'
If you look at a picture of the crucified Jesus dying on the cross at Calvary, then you will see that the arms of Jesus are open wide for all, to come to Him by saving faith. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus used words that mean a lot to those in farming, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” More than that, He tells all to, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls,” Matthew 11:29.
During His ministry on earth, Jesus welcomed all sorts of people as He travelled around Galilee telling farming parables. Jesus still has a warm welcome today, for those who want to have their sins forgiven and receive eternal life and rest.
In the Bible ordinary folk discovered that their eternal hope and worth was not in their hard work, not in their efficiency and not in their performance. They found that their only hope for salvation was in the open arms of Jesus Christ.
Today, by the grace of God, there is still a welcome in those open and loving arms of Jesus, and there is still an invitation to eternal life. In those arms, there is still room for you, but you need to respond now, for time is short. Will you respond today?
Trevor Boyd is the minister of First Rathfriland Presbyterian Church in the rolling County Down countryside. Married to Barbara, the father of three is an ex-sheep breeder and previously sold animal health products across Northern Ireland.
His blog appeared in Saturday’s Farming Life, a fortnightly column entitled ‘Good News for the Countryside’, where people from a farming background, or who have a heart for the countryside, offer a personal reflection on faith and rural life.
You can look at other blogs in this series here.
If you would like to talk to someone about any of the issues raised in this article, please email Rev Kenny Hanna at khanna@presbyterianireland.org or call him on 028 9753 1234.