The word harvest is mentioned 51 times in the bible. God must have known that harvesting is a concept that many of us can understand and learn from. Much of what it takes to grow a mature crop is similar to what we need to grow into mature Christians. To grow a good crop, the ground must be prepared, seeds must be planted, followed by water and sunshine to grow. Sometimes the rain comes in the form of storms which can be difficult to endure. Months pass as the crop grows until finally it’s harvest time. What is it that we need to become a follower of Christ that is mature in our faith? We need hearts that are prepared (fertile soil), God’s word given to us and planted in our hearts (seeds planted). We need other Christians to come along side us to help us grow (rain and sunshine, likely some storms too). Time isn’t a requirement, but for most of us our relationship with God is developed over time as we grow into Christians that are mature and strong in our faith. Finally becoming a mature Christian, shaped and molded by God himself. Make sure you take time to grow in your faith and relationship with Christ. That way you’ll be a “good crop” bearing good fruit or grains to help feed the world as the hands and feet of Christ.

Deuteronomy 11:13-14 ¹³ “If you carefully obey the commands I am giving you today, and if you love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart and soul, ¹⁴ then he will send the rains in their proper seasons—the early and late rains—so you can bring in your harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil.