The Cycle of the Harvest

DateLine (5/24/07 – Nanuet, NY)

I like to grow things, especially vegetables. As far as I’m concerned one of the simple pleasures in life is to walk down to the garden, pluck something from the vine or ground, wash it off in the sink, and consume it. That’s the way God designed it in the “Garden of Eden.” The pinnacle of garden eatin’ is the homegrown tomato. A country gourmet delight is a slice of vine ripe tomato on wheat bread dressed with a little Duke’s mayonnaise.

The entire cycle is an annual reminder of the goodness of the heavenly father. It is not limited to dietary benefit, it is therapeutic for me. The warm days of spring beckon me to turn over the moist earth, press the seeds into neat rows, pray for rain, and dare the weeds to show up. The garden is a retreat that temporarily removes me from the complexities of modern life. A weekend without dirt under my fingernails is incomplete. While I do enjoy the plowing, planting, watering, and weeding; the greatest reward is the harvest. At the moment of harvest the hard work that goes before fades into a dim memory as the purpose is fulfilled.

I want to focus a few moments on the harvest. Let’s use my favorite the tomato as an example. With just a little experience it is very easy to determine when the tomato is ripe on the vine. The first hint of a color transition from green to red is an indication that it’s almost time. A gentle squeeze to determine firmness is the final test. At the point of harvest the tomato is slightly soft to the touch. A vine ripe tomato will literally drop off of the vine into your hand with the slightest tug.

The cycle of harvest is used in the Bible to describe the process by which people are reconciled to the Creator. The temptation is to gloss over the initial steps of the cycle to focus on the harvest but it is a multi-step cycle. Without the tilling there is no harvest. Without the planting there is no harvest. Without the watering there is no harvest. Without the weeding there is no harvest. While the harvest is exciting, there is no indication in the Scripture that the other steps of the cycle are any less important. As a matter of fact there is no requirement that all of the tasks be performed by the same person. One could till, another plant, another water, and another weed; all important contributors to the harvest. What could be more natural?

Are you involved in cycle of harvest; I mean the one that yields eternal life. “When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.” Matt. 21:34 “As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." Mark 4:29 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9.

It’s time for all of us to go to the garden. I’ll plough, you can plant, someone else waters, another weeds. Occasionally you’ll get the opportunity to gently tug as the vine ripe “fruit” falls into your hands; another child entering eternity with the Father. I do not know of a higher purpose in life.

“Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matt. 9:37-38.