Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18

Fall is the time of year we think about harvesting when we see farmers on their fields. We see squirrels gathering nuts to store in our yards. We hear geese honking as they fly south for the winter. It’s a time to give thanks for God’s bountiful abundance.

Farmers plant corn and expect to harvest corn, not soybeans. Yet the farmer understands sometimes seeds are planted unintentionally.

Jesus told them another parable:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. Matthew 13:24-28

We can’t expect anything less in our spiritual lives. We reap what we sow. Seeds of anger reap a harvest of bitterness and resentment. Seeds of apathy reap a harvest of distance from God. Seeds of fear reap a harvest of mistrust.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 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 6:7-9.

Each day we are given a new chance to plant new seeds in the soil of our souls. When we plant forgiveness, we reap reconciliation. When we sow seeds of trust in Go, we reap a harvest of faith. When we sow seeds of time with God, we reap an abundance of peace and assurance He is with us throughout this life journey.

Just as the seeds planted in the spring take time to grow and mature in the fall – so do these spiritual seeds take time to mature. As such, God calls us to be patient in the waiting and diligent to uproot weeds. To get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. (Ephesians 4:31) and to trust Him, the master farmer, that He will sort out at the end of time the righteous wheat from the unrighteous weeds. For He sees how things truly are and not appearances (1 Samuel 16:7).

Dear Lord,
Let us go and plant wisely today so that our harvest may glorify You.
Amen.