Preparing for HarvestSample

Day 1: Reaping and Sowing

Galatians 6: 7-9 says, “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.”

What we harvest depends on what we planted. Did you plant seeds of pride? Gossip? Lust? Or did you plant seeds of honesty? Kindness? Forgiveness? Our habits can be hard to change, and sometimes, we do not even realize we are stuck in a destructive pattern until harvest time comes, and we realize there is no good fruit for us to gather. This scripture reminds us that what we put into something will be what we get out of it. It also reminds us that what we pour into matters just as much. You can put hard work into a destructive lifestyle. You can build an empire that is for you and not add to the kingdom of God at all. When we spend our time cultivating healthy friendships, carving out intentional time with God, and going to spirit-led counsel, that is how we plant healthy seeds.

I should say it does not happen without intention; we can’t just go through life hoping we are planting healthy seeds that lead to healthy fruit; we have to take conscious steps every day. Not every day will be a good day; we may make mistakes, maybe even big mistakes, but we cannot give up. As the last sentence of our verse says, “...at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Do not give up on yourself; God has not given up on you. We need to go to God for strength; he will meet us with grace.

Of course, not everything in life that happens to us or against us is our fault, but it is our responsibility to react according to God’s word. Unforgiveness will lead to a plant that is bitter in taste. Being harsh and rude will lead to a singular plant that is lonely. Pride will lead to a plant that is tall but lifeless. Choose today to plant seeds that lead to a colorful, beautiful, full harvest by removing the seeds that want to destroy the plan God has for you.