Where Is My Harvest?
When we have planted “seeds” in order to harvest the same, and it has been quite a long time- we may wonder “Where is my harvest?”
The Lord gives us a great visual in the growth of the Chinese bamboo tree. This particular tree grows roots unseen beneath the ground for 4 years. At the beginning of the 5th year the tree finally breaks through the ground. Not only does it break through the ground, it starts to grow at an astonishing rate, and in just five weeks it can reach a height of 90 feet!
Not knowing anything about the tree, we may look at it and think this is a miracle, an overnight success in the life of a tree! But digging deeper -literally- the growth and effort was happening all along. The person who planted the seed kept watering it, fertilizing it and tending to it so that when it was God’s appointed time for it to spring through for all to see, it was right on time. Not the typical time of other trees- God’s timing for this particular tree.
Self help gurus instruct us to set goals, work hard and have an obsession to achieve that which we set out to do. With consistency, our seeds of hard work will come to fruition- but what if the goal was wrong?
Or, what if the goal wasn’t wrong but the timing was a decade early? We cannot know anything for sure unless we ask the Lord. We must seek Him, not our own ideas.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”(proverb 3:4-6)
Roots are incredibly important. They are the foundation on which this Chineese Bamboo tree will be able to stand at a height of 90 feet in 5 weeks without succumbing to adverse weather conditions.
We need deep roots too. If we are working toward a goal and become successful too early, the cares of the world will crowd out God’s purpose for our life.
This is why time is required. A time of hard work behind the scenes. Then waiting time with continued diligent work. Lastly it is time to harvest at God’s appointed time.
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace…”(Is 55:10-12)
A Harvest Will Come If We Don’t Give Up
We have an enemy- unseen, vicious and cunning- trying to tempt us to make our own way in this world. What we don’t know is that the end point of our limited human choices will lead to disillusionment at best and a destroyed life at worst.
There are examples all around us that we can learn from. Humans have never superseeded the success of the Lord’s plans. Humans have never endured as God has endured. Therefore, doesn’t it make sense that our Creator actually has a plan for each one of us and His plan is good?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”(Jer 29:11)
Planting seeds based on God’s Word, going to Him for daily guidance through prayer and deep study of His Word, is the only right choice.
” 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. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”(Galatians 6:7-10)
As we keep God’s priorities straight and we plant seeds in all categories- waiting sometimes years to see the harvest- we must not get weary. God’s word is solid and it will deliver. We must not give up.
“God is not human that He should lie. Not a human being that He should change His mind. Does He speak then not act? Does He promise then not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19)
God’s timing is not our timing and it may take a long time to receive the blessing God promised for our work, but it will come because the Lord cannot lie.
Food for thought,
Lisa
for more on this, listen to Dr. Tony Evans in his sermon “The Law of the Harvest”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Krb6-SRKC0
