Harvest Time

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“He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”

Proverbs 10:5

 

When harvest time comes around I’m always amazed at the number of combines I see with their lights on working late into the night. Harvest is not the time for sitting around. It is the most intense part of the farmer’s year.

On a more general scale, when it’s time to work, the wise person will be busy with it. The foolish make excuses, sleep late, and put off what needs to be done until it’s too late to complete the tasks or until the tasks can only be completed in a subpar manner.

What the foolish don’t see is how their behavior impacts their family and the people around them. Parents feel the burden and, yes, even the shame of working hard to train their children to be diligent in their work and not seeing it take root.

In contrast, the family who sees their children grow to engage in the work of the family and even initiate that work without being told is one that rejoices in the them. This also applies to the church family. Those who are spiritually mentored and who grow up to engage in the work of the ministry, even and especially in the intense times, these spiritual children bring joy to the church family.

God gave us six days to work and one to rest. The wise are diligent to do their work when it is time to work. In the harvest time, the days are longer and more challenging. Let us not be foolish when it comes to our own work, and let us not be foolish when it comes to the work of the ministry. When the harvest comes, we need to roll up our sleeves and get to it. May we prepare our hearts for such a time.

Lord of the harvest, give us the wisdom that resists avoiding the work that you give to us for our benefit. Give us wisdom to put aside our foolish distractions and engage in the work of the harvest of souls for your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devoted to keeping Jesus Christ the main thing.

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