“You need to plant a seed to reap a harvest”

This weekend we are celebrating Harvest Festival at Christ Church. In 2018 gathering in the Harvest is very different compared to 1772 when the traditional Harvest hymn “We plough the fields and scatter” was written by German poet Matthias Claudius. Instead of whole villagers having to work hard for several weeks to harvest all the crops, today we often see lone farmers working their efficient machinery to produce the harvest. However, despite all the advances in modern technology one thing that hasn’t changed about the Harvest is the need to intentionally plant the seeds. In other words to have a harvest there has to be a seed. 

The scripture on our A59 billboard this month is taken from the book of Hosea 10:12

“If you plant goodness, you will harvest faithful love. Plow your ground, and you will harvest with the Lord. He will come, and he will make goodness fall on you like rain.”

This passage speaks of how God calls us to sow–to sow broadly, generously, diligently. When looking at a tiny seed, it is impossible to see what will bloom from this minute speck of nothing, the colour it will produce, the bloom or fruit, or how large the plant will be. There is vast potential locked within, that under the right circumstances planted in good soil, watered and covered in sunshine, a miracle will happen. The seed transforms into something more than itself, it gives birth to a plant that blooms and brings beauty, life, colour and a fruit and this is a miracle-almost something out of nothing.

This Harvest we have the opportunity to be intentional with what we do with our lives, talents and skills. Maybe giving food, time or money to support our local foodbank, intentionally stepping out to do something new or perhaps taking time out to contemplate the potential harvest in our own lives or those around us.

A quote from Lea R. Caguinguin sums up this contemplation perfectly.

“If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
If you plant hard work, you will reap success
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
If you plant faith in God, you will reap a harvest
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.”