A Season of Harvest

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitability” (Romans 12: 9-13).  
 
If you’ve ever driven past fields full of crops, you’ve seen the evidence of thousands of hours of labor. Whether it’s vineyards or corn fields, the work that goes into preparing the ground for growing and planting season is a labor of love. But the more devoted the farmers are, the better the harvest will be.  

As we work for the kingdom, there are times when we get tired. We get tired of trials, we become disillusioned with life, and we fail to see how our work is doing any good.  

Paul wrote a letter to the church in Corinth about keeping the faith. He states, “Be steadfast, unmovable always, abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). When you are trying to be patient in tribulation, contribute to the needs of your family and your church, and love on those who are sometimes so difficult to love, the Father sees your effort. He hasn’t forgotten everything you’ve given.  

The work that you are doing right now—the efforts of your life—will count for more than you realize.  

It took 300 years for Rome to gain an emperor who would eventually become a Christian. It took 300 years and thousands upon thousands of Christians sacrificing their lives for the sake of Christ before Rome changed. But when Rome changed, the world changed. Those Christians who died for their belief in Jesus helped pave the road to revival. They started a wildfire that hell couldn’t stop.

Sacrificial love – without it, where would we be?  

When you wonder if it’s worth it, and you question if you’re making a difference—you are. When you cry out to God and worry that He hasn’t heard—He has. Your faith reaches from generation to generation.  

Your children’s children’s children will reap the benefits of the faith you show today. They will reap the harvest that you labored over. Every life you touch, every seed you plant, every hand you extend counts for the kingdom of God.  

Don’t give up. You will see the bounties of your labor when harvest time comes.