After the labor of spring preparation and sunny summer growth comes the harvest season of fall. The farmer’s crops have grown and are ready to be gathered, sold, and some used as food for the animals over winter. It’s a cycle of activities and outcomes that are interdependent.
We mostly live in cities and towns today, but it wasn’t always that way. Our own ancestors lived off the land and needed to plant and nurture their crops to be able to survive–or we wouldn’t be here! They didn’t have Costco® or DoorDash® or Domino’s®. If they needed something they couldn’t produce themselves, they bartered and traded with others. It was a true community of people sharing and helping each other, especially through times of drought and long, difficult winters. People who farm today still do.
The rest of us may have become detached from our “grass roots,” but each of us will also reap a harvest from the seeds we’ve sown in our lives. Let’s come back to the farmer and think more about the four steps he or she does to produce their crop.
1 Preparing the Soil: The first step to producing a good crop is to remove any rocks and boulders from the field that would damage the planting equipment. Next, the hard soil is prepared for the seeds by ploughing or tilling it to loosen, turn, and aerate it.
2 Sowing the Seeds: The farmer chooses the seeds he or she plants which will mature into the crop they will harvest.
3 Fertilizing and Irrigating: Plants need nutrients and water to grow. It’s critical for the farmer to cultivate the crops and care for their growth. They monitor their fields continually to address any issues that may be causing damage as soon as possible. Ignoring the signs will result in a poor or damaged outcome or even a total loss.
4 Harvesting and Storage: If the steps have been followed, the work has been done, and the rain and sun have done their job, it’s pay day! Tiny little seeds have grown into the mature version of their species, like: corn, potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, wheat, flowers, or oranges.
The crops are gathered for storage in a barn, a silo, or loaded onto trucks for safe transfer to be processed. The harvest is complete and the land can rest over winter. The farmer can enjoy the fruits of his labor and success, or use the winter to regroup and make changes before spring begins the next cycle.
I mentioned earlier that all of us will reap a harvest based on the decisions we make throughout our life, whether good or bad. These “seeds” we put into our life will turn into much more. The kind of seed planted will determine the plant that will grow and be harvested.
In Galatians 6:7–9 (NLT), the Apostle Paul tells us more about what happens if we plant seeds of sin in our lives that we know we shouldn’t. They are never hidden from God.
“Don’t be misled – you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Here’s how to have a heart and soul-filled harvest in your own life:
- Preparing the Soul: Remove any sin and destructive habits. Choose to change and turn to God.
- Plant the Right Seeds: Fill your heart, soul, and mind with the living Word of God, the Holy Bible. You’ll receive seeds of wisdom, truth, and learn how to be saved from your sins (bad seeds) and have eternal life in Heaven. God will reveal Himself to you personally as you read and pray.
- Nourish Your Life: Become a part of a true Bible teaching church and a group of believers. We all need a community to help and encourage each other in our faith and life’s challenges.
- An Abundance of Blessings: A beautiful, bountiful outcome happens when God supplies all we need. You’ll have enough for yourself and extra to share with others! 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (NLT) says,
“For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.”
From His infinite supply, God can bless your life in every season–with room to share!
RESET HIGHER: What will your harvest be? Take an honest look at the seeds you’ve planted that are growing in your life. Pull out all the weeds. Ask God to help you plant the right seeds to replace them. He will help you!
