Preparing for the Harvest

There is a verse in the Bible that always puzzled me as a child. It says, “Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them” (Psalm 126:6). I kept wondering, “why are they weeping?”

Somewhere along the way, I began to understand it a bit more clearly. If living out the Christian life has taught me anything, it has taught me that preparing a harvest is hard work. Living dependent on the Holy Spirit means you make sacrifices: giving up time, energy and resources to sow seeds in hearts as He directs. You invest in people and wait eagerly for that bit of green that tells you a seedling is sprouting. Sometimes it never happens. In other cases, you pray for years and years, wondering if it’s worth the investment. Serving as God has called us to serve can feel like a thankless job. As Paul expressed, as you minister to people, you always carry burdens of concern for them. No wonder the sow-er is weeping!

That’s not where the verse stops, however. There will come a time when we will return with songs of joy, carrying the harvest home. Remember that we are investing in what really matters—the only thing that matters: the souls of God’s lovingly created human beings. That must always be our goal.

We can look at the state of our society and weep, but even as you weep, remember to carry the seeds. Is it getting harder? Are you shedding more tears over the state of humanity? That’s a good sign. The harder the battle, the more there will be to celebrate in the end. We already know that we are overcomers, because Christ has won the victory.

Those tears you feel in your heart right now? Are they for the needs of the world? Turn them to good use. Plant the seeds, and watch to see what God will do as we continue to work together in the harvest. Today’s tears will prepare the soil for tomorrow’s flowers.