Harvest Now
Harvest time reveals the fruit of our planting. It is right for us to look forward to accomplishing goals and celebrating God’s provision. But what if there is another “harvest” taking place, perhaps a bonus that we’re not aware of, but that is very much on God’s radar? “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Gal. 6:9 I have found over the years, that overcoming weariness is directly tied to my receiving revelation on this harvest process. In addition, my harvest goal may overlap with God’s, while His harvest goals may have not yet overlapped with mine.
Types of Harvest
What field are you waiting on? Perhaps you are enjoying fruitfulness in some fields but not in others. This is quite normal of course. Some scenarios: 1) My marriage may be doing well but finances are an issue. We’ve sown seed, given in tithes and offerings, but still waiting for the financial harvest to pay off debt. 2) Vision and purpose for my life is in a slump. I try to count my blessings and enjoy what I have, but I feel like there’s another level for me to reach and I can’t seem to find it. In the meantime I feel, irrelevant. 3) I’ve parented my children in the best way I know how, but their behavior doesn’t indicate that they have responded to the seed I’ve sown into them. I am waiting to see substantial change in their lives. Fellow parents and grandparents, we will always be laboring in the field, for harvest in the family downline.
Inner Growth
Harvest “out there” versus harvest “in here” – meaning, the inner recesses of my soul. I appreciate this quote from Oswald Chambers: What we call the process, God calls the end. Granted, those practical goals are important, to us and to God, but they are not the highest priority. In my younger years, I saw the destination of goals met, as the main event and the process of coming to know God, enduring the trials and the refining, as the interlude. Now, it is pretty much reversed. My history in God is a reminder that He is a provider by nature, who even cares for the birds of the air. God has provided for me, physically, spiritually, emotionally – even when I don’t sow as I should. We are in good company with the birds Mt. 6:26 and the lilies. Mt. 6:28 Worry, has never helped me in the harvest.
Harvest is a Battle
Flip side of the coin, I cannot presume on God’s mercy to the point of being passive in my pursuit. There’s ground to be taken. This principle is illustrated in the Book of Jeremiah. “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses?And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?” Jer. 12:5-6 The overflowing of the Jordan generally happened in harvest time. This would drive the lions and other beasts out from their dwelling places among the bushes that lined the banks of the river. The challenge here, is that if you want growth you’re going to have to be ready to contend for it. There’s always warfare on the way to harvest.
Oppressive Culture
The source of weariness for the Galatian church, was an oppressive religious culture. Paul expressed these concerns: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel, which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” Gal. 1:6-8 “I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.” Gal. 4:11 “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!” Gal. 4:19-20
Daily headlines in our world, reveal a myriad of ways that “other gospels” are being presented in our culture. Some are clothed in religious subtlety, while others are outright wicked. The only true gauge to keep us secure in spiritual formation, is the cross of Christ. “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Gal. 6:14 Jesus, true to form, modeled the way for us. He did not become weary and he has been reaping a harvest ever since Calvary. Keep believing for that fruitful field, no matter how long it takes. But remember, the harvest is happening now. It’s the fruit of your response, to stay steady in your pursuit.