A TIME TO HARVEST

October is the traditional time of year for the harvest to end in many parts of the world. Harvest Moon is a term that comes to mind about now; it’s the first full-moon after the autumnal equinox, technically. Actually it’s the multiple phases near a full-moon that provides enough light that allows working outdoors after sunset. This was vital before the invention of electric lights and implements that sped up the harvesting process.

Nobody knows the exact time of their death, so we don’t know when each soul will be ‘harvested’ into our eternal destiny. Matthew and Luke both record Jesus telling his disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few,” just before He sends them out on their paired outreaches. Then He adds: “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest fields.”

In John chapter 4 Jesus confronts the Samaritan woman at the well, after the disciples return from town after their food run, Jesus tells them a similar analogy in verses 34-38. The townspeople then show up to hear this prophet that their woman talked to. The result: Jesus stayed there two days; “And because of His words many more became believers.”

“But, I’m no evangelist!” You protest. I’m not saying that you have to reach an entire town, but try to reach those in your sphere of influence. Do your co-workers see enough of a difference in you to know you are a Christ-follower? What about the people who live in your own house?

When Jesus was near the time of His ascension into Heaven He told His followers in Acts 1:8b “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Notice the outflow of influence the disciples were to develop. They were to start in Jerusalem, with people they knew, before they stretched out into the surrounding areas with people they didn’t know very well. Then they could move out to harvesting the bigger world-at-large.

So, how should you reach those in your own household?  You don’t have to directly lead all of your children to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to be an effective parent. But, you should be taking them to a church that teaches the truth found in the Bible so they will be exposed to the life changing message of Jesus’ redemptive power to each hurting soul.

Notice that I said you should be taking them to church, don’t just send them to church. Your children will be more affected by the message if they see you hungry for the same truth that they are searching for.