Teach Us How To Reap

Jesus said to His disciples at one point, that the harvest is ripe but the labourers are few and that prayers should be offered for more labourers.

The next thing we read is of Jesus sending his disciples to … be the reapers. Be the labourers.

I wonder if we would know how to reap. I wonder if we can see the harvest is ripe and know what to do in those circumstances. I wonder.

For whatever reason a lot of teaching went into sowing and giving. Loads went into serving and helping. But not so much on the reaping. Not so much on what it is to truly see what’s come about because of weeks, months and years of diligent sowing, diligent work in the aspect and then collect it and celebrate the products of the diligence.

This is certainly not about money grabs or claiming material possessions Neither is this about filling up chairs with spectators of weekly religious performances. This is a recognition of the opportunity that presents itself to us because people prayed, because people fasted, because people cried out and now – now it’s time to collect. Now it’s time to celebrate. Now it’s time to encourage and make those connections that enrich the community of faith with the manifold wisdom of God revealed through them as they grow in knowing Jesus who rescues them from helplessness and hopelessness.

It’s good to sow. It’s good to reap.

Lord, teach us how to reap.

(Photo by Warren Wong on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden