The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 3 there is a time to plant and a time to harvest.  If we lived on a farm when the crops were ripe, we would all become Harvesters, for everyone is needed when the harvest is ready to be taken.

          There is also a time for the harvest in the world.  Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 9 that the world was ready to harvest for God.  Just as the farmer brings his crop into the bins for storage, so also God wants to bring His people into the heavenly storehouse, to give them the gift of eternal life.

          Though we are all called to the harvest, we aren't all called to do the same things.  Not all drive the harvest machine.  Some plant the grain, others fertilize and cultivate.  Still others organize the harvest, bringing people together or hauling the grain to storage.

          Some prepare food for the workers, and others serve it.  Whatever part we may have, we are all important to the harvest.  Everything that is done points to one thing: bringing the grain into the storehouse, so that God's people will have what they need.

          There are five main points that I gained from this video story:

          Point # 1)  Set a Goal - They were there for one thing - to harvest the grain.  Yes, they were also helping the family, but that help would not come till the grain God had given them was harvested.

          Point # 2)  Prepare - They got ready, set a date, organized the workers, and prepared the machines.  That's what we are doing in church worship, getting ready, preparing, organizing.  Unless we are prepared, we cannot do the work.

          Point # 3)  Everyone was included - No one person is more or less significant than the others.  Those who harvested are no more important than those who hauled the grain away.  The food preparers were as important as those who ate.

          Point # 4)  Celebrate the Harvest - When it was done, they enjoyed God's blessings, giving Him thanks and praise.  Worship is celebration, as vital as all other parts.

          Point # 5)  Pray Throughout - Nothing worthwhile can be done without God's blessing, and constant prayer brings His blessings.

          In the Kingdom of God, you and I don't always know who else has planted the seed, or who has watered or cultivated the seed.  But we must be ready, for we will be called one day to take part in the harvest.  The ripened grain doesn't wait till we are ready - we must be ready for it.  Or the harvest will be lost.

          God loves us as individuals; each individual head of grain is valuable.  His Son Jesus died to forgive us and now lives to show us the way of life. God loves the whole field, but He doesn't forget who each one of us is.  We are one among many in the church, but each one is important. We all have a purpose in this world, to serve Him and love one another.  We all need to do our part.

          So don't hide from your part in the harvest.  Don't avoid doing you part.  You are not unimportant.  We all have a part to do.  That's why God put us here.  May God give us joy as we participate in the harvest, joy that will be everlasting.  Amen

Copyright © 2005 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.