the "pen-ultimate"

Hello all from one of the newest farm members!!! My name is Nicholas Waters, Idaho native, and grass fed; I come to Texas with my amazing wife Molly Scott Waters and am so excited to be on the farm...I am learning so much with each passing day. The ins-and-outs of bee-keeping details: queens, bee-space, drones, workers, broods, capped-honey, swarming; how to prune and side dress tomato vines; goat milking, and the differences between a larva and nymph, as they relate to complete and incomplete insect metamorphoses.

However, amidst all the newness (of schedule, surroundings, knowledge, responsibilities, friends, community, and cockroaches) there has been one meditation in my heart that has remained constant, and seems to be growing in my heart: that of the "penultimate." The penultimate refers to "that which comes right before the last." i.e. "the penultimate chapter of the book." So, in my estimation, it is a thing which is probably quite important (in that it is leading up to the ultimate, or conclusion), but it, in and of itself, is not the end.

And so, being on the farm and not only thinking about the importance of sustainable agriculture, organics, local-food production, but believing in it and being a part of it, I am even more resolved that these things are not the ultimate...they are "penultimate"...in a certain sense. Are we living, dying, and putting our ultimate hopes in these things? Do we entrust our very souls and spirits to them? May it never be so.

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attribute are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful , but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man...[they] exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen" -Romans 1:20-25

The ultimate is God, and our "worship" should be directed to Him alone (an object or being of worship is that which we profess to be of ultimate worth...and as God is of ultimate worth, He is the only thing of worth, for everything else of worth: goodness, truth, love, and purity, flow from Him) . So, Jesus may you direct our hearts, our minds, our lives toward things that bring you glory. May you lead our minds and efforts towards things that you are blessing. May Jesus have the glory, honor, fame, and praise that is due His name!!!

In Christ,
Nicholas