Where Is The Harvest?
Spring, summer, autumn, winter… The passing seasons in nature can be a reminder of the passing seasons in our own lives. Many Christians may wonder why another year or season has gone by without fruitful progress or results. We can get stuck in the same cycle of having expectations for the season ahead, only to be disappointed by its end. You may have noticed a period of stagnation in certain areas of your life – whether faith-related or in your ambitions, goals and projects. As the instruction book for our lives, God’s word provides several insights on overcoming and escaping this cycle.
Farmers and gardeners plant seeds in the hope of them germinating and producing something to harvest. The Bible is filled with metaphors and analogies around these concepts. When scripture refers to sowing and harvesting, it is not only talking about the literal act of planting seeds into the ground but also referring to a natural law of cause and effect. An action taken will produce a result. We reap what we sow, whether positively or negatively.
Galatians 6:8, (NKJV) : 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.
There are several ways we can apply scripture to help us think biblically about how to break out of a cycle of having a fruitless harvest at the end of each season of anticipation.
Starting with Proverbs 28:19, (ESV), which states: Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
Are you sowing at all? Consider the stagnant area in your life. What steps have you taken to break free from it? We may be anticipating a harvest, yet we did not sow a seed in the first place. If we don’t sow, there is nothing to be watered, nothing to grow and therefore, nothing to harvest.
The time in which to sow is also vital. Proverbs 20:4, (NKJV) states: The lazy man will not plough because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing.
Did you make the necessary preparations and sow at the right time? Procrastination and laziness are some of the hindrances we face to planning or acting in the right time and manner. Like in farming, certain seeds must be sowed during certain seasons. It must all be done appropriately to provide the right environment and weather conditions for the seeds to develop.
I enjoy planting flower bulbs, and I’m aware the timing to plant them can be vital to allow them to grow and eventually bloom. Yet I’m also guilty of procrastinating and pushing out when I plant my flower bulbs which ideally should be done in the late autumn to early winter months. So one way I can relate to Proverbs 20:4 directly is knowing that if I am lazy and don’t plant the bulbs at the right time, I should not expect anything during the flowering months.
Whatever we are working towards, we should ask God for wisdom to know the right time to sow and not to miss when the time is made available, as it could affect harvest time.
Furthermore, sowing once may not be enough; being active and planting throughout all seasons can also determine whether there will be a successful harvest. As stated in Ecclesiastes 11:6, (NLT): Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.
Are you diversifying your approach to achieving your goals? For example, farmers scatter many seeds throughout different seasons, some will result in a harvest, and some may not. Similarly, we should keep working, prayerfully sowing seeds wherever possible and using all available opportunities.
Hebrews 12:11 (ESV) highlights the importance of discipline: For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Are you staying disciplined by taking care of the planted seeds? Sowing is one action; it is then a continuous activity to water, nourish them and keep them weed free. With God’s help, faithfully and patiently persevere through any circumstances that may arise while waiting for your harvest.
God wants us to know His will, and we know He hears us when we ask for what is in line with His purpose.
This promise is stated in 1 John 5:14-15, (NKJV): Now, this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
While we can plan, we must remember that only God’s purpose will prevail, and we must continuously ask for wisdom to know His will. Therefore, during every stage of whatever season you’re in and whatever you’re striving for, do not neglect to consult with God, who ultimately allows for growth.
We can take all the steps necessary to carry out our plans; plant the seed, water and nourish them. However, we must also remember to surrender the outcome to the Lord. He is the only one who can give growth and produce the blessings of a bountiful harvest.
Summary
To overcome the cycle of a lack of harvest, continually seek God for guidance to align your will with His will. Let the Holy Spirit lead you through every phase of whatever you’re striving for, whether in your planning or execution. Wait faithfully on God and lean on Him for strength to stay disciplined. Keep sowing, keep watering and keep nourishing, and at His timing, we will reap if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9, (NLT) : 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.
