Proverbs: The Harvest

      Growing up on a farm, I learned the importance of gathering the crops before the produce faded away.  There was no waiting until tomorrow.  We were in the fields just as the sun was rising over the great pine trees to beat the heat of the day.  We worked all day.  My father grew tobacco.  This was in the 50's and 60's when tobacco was 'the money crop' of the south.  Tobacco had to be picked when ripe and not too ripe.  The large leaves could not be too green and not yellow at all.  There was a timing for each process of preparing the crop for the market.  

     Just the same with the cucumbers my father planted in a field near our house.  The cucumbers were our clothes money.  There was a crop of cucumbers before harvesting tobacco and another after the tobacco was harvested.  We learned which stage of the cucumber's growth made the most money and how to grade the cucumbers for the market.  

     Then, there was my mother's flower garden and my grandmother's roses.  I learned how to plant and transplant in the spring.  Then, water and nourish with just the right amount of fertilizer.  Plants can be drowned with too much water.  Nourishing the tender plants in order to have beautiful blossoms was about timing and the weather conditions.  Then, it was tea grinds at the roots of the rose bushes.  We drank a lot of iced tea on the farm.  My mother taught us to prepare a tall glass of iced tea as soon as we heard my father's truck drive into our yard.  So, there was plenty of tea leaves for my grandmother's roses.   

These memories came this morning as I read Proverbs 10: 5.  As I read this verse, I was reminded of Jesus' words to his disciples in Matthew 9:35-38.  Then, at the same time, I was reminded of my years on the farm with our harvest.  It wasn't just work, but life lessons implanted into our minds, hearts, and souls.  It takes preparation, studying the conditions, and building relationships.   God plants the seeds, so the fields will be ready for the harvest. 

He who gathers in summer

is a wise son;

He who sleeps in harvest

            is a son who causes shame.

                   Proverbs 10:5

     Today, just look out on the harvest.  In this country, we have sent missionaries to lands far away to the harvest.  Isn't it time each of us answer the call to go?  Go next door.  Go into the schools.  I look around me and see the multitudes needing Jesus.  I see the multitudes coming into our country at the southern borders.  Yes, just as Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is truly plenteous, but the laborers are few."  (Matthew 9:37)

     Why?  Why aren't we answering the call?  Why don't I answer the call?  Do we lack compassion?  When Jesus saw the multitudes, 'he was moved with compassion on them.' (vs 36)  Where is our compassion?  Sending missionaries to go isn't enough anymore. It is time for us to not only give but to go into the multitude and lead them to the living water which only comes from our God.  There is no good excuses when I can look out my window and see people who need help and need to learn about the way to peace through  salvation and faith in God.  

     Now, where do we start?  Just as the summer crops had to be planted and nourished, we need to reach out and plant the seeds of salvation and nourish the multitudes so they can see hope in God and grow in His love.  Next, how?  As the farmer has to know the crops and the conditions, we have to know God and have a relationship with Him first.  Without God leading us, we will fail.  Without knowing the gospel and God's plan, we will fail.  It is more than showing up on Sunday morning at church.  It is dedication to learning as much as we can about God through study and daily prayer.  In order to do it right, we have to prepare ourselves and learn.  

     As we see the harvest growing around us, let's prepare ourselves for the task.  Pray.  Study. Draw near to God. (See James 4:7,8)  When the time comes, God will open your eyes, mind, and soul to His desires for you.  But, don't wait until the harvest has all dried up and faded away, because the harvest has come to us. 

"Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest, that he will send laborers into his harvest."         Matthew 9:38