Harvest
/I have been an unabashed Summer lover for as long as I can remember — and I still am. I love the swimming, the fireflies, the long warm evenings and the barbecues. Summer reminds me of life in it’s prime and I love that.
I also enjoy Spring because fresh life springs forth from the earth AND because it means Summer is coming soon! My past perspective has been — “Every season is either leading up to, or away from Summer.”
In this vein, I have regularly turned my nose up at Fall. The wet, matted leaves, the chilly air, the slow disappearance of living green and the short evenings have long been a disappointment to me. I’ve even gone so far as to tell Autumn lovers that Jude 1:12 speaks of their beloved season in a negative light!
But this year I think I’m turning over a new leaf. This year is different, because Harvest is beginning to really intrigue me. Here’s the section of scripture that has made me think about Autumn in a new light —
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. ”
The growing season is about the excellent qualities of gratitude, faith, hope, labor, patience and perseverance which all culminate at Harvest! The process of sowing seed, cultivating life and then reaping the harvest is beautiful, but it's difficult too. Many factors have to go “just right” in order for the farmer to enjoy a bountiful harvest. And in our world of 24/7 supermarkets and convenience stores it is easy for us to forget that there is only one opportunity for harvest each year, just as Hebrews 9:27 tells us we only have one life to live and produce spiritual fruit.
The passage above from Galatians 6 says it well — if we sow to The Spirit and then don’t faint, grow weary or quit, we will participate in a spiritual harvest. Of course during our "growing season" it may seem the weeds will win, or it may feel like there is too much sun or not enough rain. Difficulty and opposition are to be expected in this life, but quitting can’t be an option for the believer who desires to finish his or her race, overcome and hear those lovely words cross our Savior’s lips
“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”
Life in this world is supposed to be about producing spiritual fruit for our Maker. The spiritual environment in 2017 isn’t conducive to good fruit, so it is a challenge for you and I to be productive. A spiritual harvest is coming! Are you up to the challenge?
How about you?
- Today are you sowing to The Spirit or to your own flesh?
- Would God say that you are producing good, spiritual fruit?
- Are you choosing to remain strong, steadfast and patient as you wait for the final harvest?
- And are you helping those in the household of faith as you continue in the way?
Additional scriptures: Genesis 8:20-22, Ruth 3:1-7, Psalm 104:14-15, Psalm 107:31-39, Matthew 3:5-12, Matthew 7:13-23, Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 13:18-30, Luke 10:1-2, John 4:34-38, John 15:1-17, 1 Corinthians 9:7-11, Colossians 1:3-6, Hebrews 6:13-15 and James 5:7-8.