“The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” —2 Corinthians 9:6
A couple of weeks ago Haley and I took Elijah back to campus in southern Minnesota at the end of his fall break. It was a stunning drive; the fall colors were out everywhere and were strikingly beautiful on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. And, in almost every field, the season’s crops were being harvested. At long last – after the work of planting, watering, and fertilizing – these fields were yielding a bountiful harvest!
What an opportune time to take stock of a different kind of harvest, the bounty of another year lived as followers of Jesus. Looking at our lives, there are various measures of fruitfulness:
How have I matured as a person of faith this year? Are there ways I have deepened my connection to Christ and followed his voice? What areas of growth am I recognizing in myself? What spiritual fruit am I bearing and abilities am I developing? How is God speaking to and shaping me through events of this year?
In what relationships have I invested? Who have I invited to speak into my life? When have I chosen to empower, encourage, or mentor another person? Where have I pursued reconciliation or deeper friendship?
Where have I contributed to the renewal of the world around me? Where am I making a redemptive difference? How have I stood against wrong and evil in our society? In what ways have I carried the light of hope into dark places?
I encourage you to review this past year with the help of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps find some moments of quiet and ask God to bring to mind answers to some of the questions above. Invite the Spirit to open your eyes to the opportunities you’ve been given, to give you a glimpse of the impact of your faithfulness. Surely there will be some missed opportunities and, when you recognize them, receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. But note the harvest of faithfulness as well. For every year we leave a mark on this world. Each one of us can make a difference greater than we might imagine.
This is also a time to look ahead. What do you hope to harvest this time next year? Where do you sense the Spirit inviting you to invest? How would you love to grow? What difference would you seek to make? Our Scripture from 2 Corinthians challenges us to “sow bountifully” as a way of reaping a more impactful harvest. As we think about the coming months, may we invest in dreams that are worthy of the followers of Christ. May we trust that God will take our efforts and accomplish through them an incredible harvest of growth, faithfulness, and renewal.
Grace upon grace,
Pastor Scott
