Pastors Devotion

THIS WEEK'S THOUGHT

THE SECRET OF THE HARVEST

Last week, I read a quote that really blessed me and somewhat revolutionized my thinking.  James A. Ray said: “The seed you sow today will not produce crop till tomorrow. For this reason, your identity does not lie in your current results. This is not who you are. Your current results are who you were.”

I was having a conversation with our third son, David, the other day.  I told him there are two things that will determine what you will be in the future – the people you hang out with and the books you read.  Now, I think I need to add an additional marker to that mix – the seeds you plant today!

I know, I know.  We’ve all heard televangelists talk about seed planting as a way of getting us to give to their ministries, but before you throw out truth because you don’t like the messengers, let me point out something vitally important.  Genesis 8:22 promises: “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease.”  These are God ordained seasons.  We’re very aware of the weather related seasons like summer, winter, spring, fall.  But did you notice that seedtime and harvest time are included in those seasons.  Don’t be mistaken, this isn’t just another way of saying Spring and Autumn. 

Everything has a seedtime – a time when seeds can (and should) be planted.  If you grew up on a farm, you’re aware of seed-planting time.  It’s a lot of work. Plus, it requires faith!  Farmers usually have to borrow money to buy the seed they plant and they have faith they will reap a harvest large enough to not only pay back what they borrowed, but to see them through until the next harvest.  Without faith, they would never take the risk to plant anything.

The same is true for us.  Whether you’re talking about planting spiritual seeds of truth in the lives of others, seeds of morality in the lives of your kids, or seeds for future sales in potential customers, seeds must be planted.  Most things that grow without first having seeds deliberately planted in our world are weeds (Thanks again, Adam and Eve!).

Harvest is a sure time as well.  Every seed has a life-cycle – a time when it’s sown; a time when it germinates; a time when it sprouts; a time when it grows to maturity; and, a time when it’s ready for harvest.  Here’s a sure bet – if you don’t plant in preparation for a harvest, you won’t have one!

Whether it’s financial, spiritual, career-related or personal, you need to be purposefully planting seeds all the time.  Stop staring at the ground – go plant more seed somewhere else.  Water where you’ve planted, if necessary, but give your seed time to cycle into a harvest!!!

The Apostle Paul knew about planting and reaping. Being a part of an agrarian society, he was very well aware of seed-time and harvest principles.  He said: “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Cor. 9:6)

Want a bigger harvest?  PLANT MORE SEED!