Harvest Time

 HARVEST TIME

“Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” - John 4:35

There is nothing like fresh produce straight from the garden. You can't find anything better than fresh green beans, corn on the cob or newly dug potatoes. Most Americans eat from a can, but the best food comes directly from a garden.

In the region where I live, it is not uncommon to find families raising a garden. However, these gardens don't really compare to the harvest field that Jesus referred to in the Gospels. In Biblical days, these huge wheat fields spanned for acres and required diligent work. Yet, Jesus spoke of these harvest fields metaphorically. Rather than a field of wheat or produce, the harvest field He referred to was a harvest field of souls. Referring to people, Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”

We need to look around ourselves. God has strategically placed us among needy people. Some are hurting. Others are searching. Many are deceived. So many people are lost. We've been placed among these people so that we may share the Good News of Jesus with them.

As we look around, we find that the fields are ready for harvest right now. We are living in harvest time. Others may have planted. Yet we have the privilege of gathering in the harvest. It is hard work, but very rewarding.

Sadly, many believers are not working in the harvest field. Although the spiritual need among us has never been greater, we've been deceived into thinking that we just need to mind our own business. Really? We aren't called to mind our own business. We are called to be about our Father's business. The business at hand is the salvation of souls.

I don't possess the power to save souls. Neither do you. However, we've been given the opportunity to go to the field and work.

For those who raise gardens, this is harvest time. The summer is winding down. Crops need to be gathered in. These are the final days of harvest. The same is true spiritually. This is harvest time. We have just a few days to work, so let's get busy.

Too many Christians are arm-chair farmers. They sit in their recliner and expect to reap a harvest. It doesn't work that way. No one ever reaps a harvest from their living room. Watching a TV show about the harvest is not the same thing is working in a harvest field. It is time we get out of the recliner and get busy in the harvest field, winning souls.

These days it seems like Christians want to complain or fuss. We don't have time to stand around and complain. There is a harvest to reap.

The Psalmist wrote, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” The long season of heartfelt prayer and sowing of the Gospel seed leads to a harvest time of rejoicing.

Others have worked the fields before us. We continue to work in the same fields ourselves. As we face our final days in the harvest field, let us do so faithfully, dependently and expectantly.

This is harvest time.