Time To Harvest

“He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” — Psalm 1:3

Wednesday, September 22, 2021, is the first day of fall.

Wow! Where did the time go?

When we think of fall or the autumn season, we think of leaves falling — red ones, orange ones, yellow ones, and brown ones. Or perhaps, you may think of mums, the mountains, a county or state fair, Thanksgiving, or maybe even a pumpkin-spice latte from Starbucks.

Whatever your emotional trigger may be, the arrival of fall represents a shift or change in seasons. The lazy days of summer gradually fade away, and our days become more relaxed, and our nights get colder.

Fall is the time when everything planted in the spring is harvested.

But not only does fall represent a change in the natural realm, but it also represents a change in the realm of the spirit.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reads, “There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—” (AMP). Then verse two goes on and states, “A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted.”

Spring this year was a little rough in that if we didn’t stay focused on God and His plans and purpose for our lives, we found it hard to think of planting. Our situation, as a nation, tended to be a distraction — a distraction of division rather than unity — the vaccinated against the unvaccinated and the masked against the unmasked. And in the midst of it all, how many Believers were planting?

How many were planting seeds of truth, faith, love, and kindness?

How many were sowing seeds that would bring a harvest towards their purpose?

The fig tree that Jesus encountered on His way out of Bethany was not producing a harvest. The tree had the proper appearance, and the season was correct, but the season’s proof was not evident because the tree was bare.

The church can take on this same characteristic at times. She can appear to be righteous and seem to be moving in the things of God, but when it comes down to the proof of her allegiance, there are times when she doesn’t produce a good crop.

Yes, there is no doubt that distractions are going to come. But it is during times like these where we have to lean into God even more.

There are two things that cannot happen in sowing and reaping. First, we cannot afford not to sow or plant. And secondly, we can’t sow but get distracted and leave our crop in the field.

Crops left too long in the field will rot.

Everything planted has an appointed time and season to be harvested.

Now, sowing can come in many forms. The most obvious type is financial sowing. But we can plant spiritually as well as physically. For example, we can give of our time. In addition, we can sow by operating in the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit.

So, the question today is, what did you plant this past spring?

And, if you planted, did you water and nurture your garden?

Did you keep the weeds out of your rows?

And did your garden get plenty of sunlight from the Son?

We’re at a pivotal point where we should be preparing for a harvest in this season.

Now, if by any chance you weren’t able to plant in the spring, all hope isn’t lost. There is such a thing as a quick crop. If you know anything about gardening, you are familiar with this term. If not, let me explain.

There are some vegetables you can plant for a fast harvest. Vegetables like lettuce, kale, spinach, radishes, and broccoli, to name a few. These vegetables will usually produce a crop within 40 – 60 days. This means that before winter arrives, you can still harvest.

Apply this same concept in the spirit realm. Plant things that will yield a quick return. Things like love, forgiveness, friendship (to have a friend, you must first be a friend). Comfort and encourage someone. By operating in the spirit and nature of Christ, these are simple and quick things we can do to please the Father and reap a harvest.

So, with that being said, get out your gardening tools and put your seeds in the ground.

Then join me next week for Coffee on The Couch.