A farmer plows his field, sows the seed, and fertilizes and cultivates – all the while knowing that in the final analysis he is utterly dependent on forces outside himself.  He knows he cannot cause the seed to germinate, nor can he produce the rain and sunshine for growing and harvesting the crop.  For a successful harvest, he is completely dependent on these things from God.  Yet the farmer knows that unless he diligently pursues his responsibilities to plow, plant, fertilize and cultivate, he cannot expect a harvest at the end of the season.  In a sense he is in a partnership with God, and he will reap its benefits only when he has fulfilled his own responsibilities.  Farming is a joint venture between God and the farmer.  The farmer cannot do what God must do, and God will not do what the farmer should do.