Harvest Time
The harvest themes continue in our liturgical year as we get deeper into autumn. As I think of how our liturgical year and seasons go so well together, I cannot help but to think about when we sowed what we are now harvesting. What happened this spring? Easter.
The things that happened all during Lent that led to the Easter season are the seeds in which we are now seeing the full fruits of to harvest. The time that you spent planting the seeds throughout your acts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving is the plentiful lifefilled harvest that the Lord is offering you now. The joy that you celebrated during the Easter season provided the rain and sunshine that was needed to grow these seeds into the glorious harvest now.
This makes even more sense when we think about how the liturgical new year is the beginning of Advent which is quickly approaching. We are harvesting now and stocking up before we start this new year, where we are again plunged into a season of preparation and waiting for what is to come. This time of the liturgical and seasonal year reminds us to be aware of what we can gather and all that we have done in this last year. It urges us slow down and carefully take stock of what has been given to us.
The cyclical nature of our lives is a great gift when we allow it to be. There is predictability and consistency throughout everything else that can change around us. Our Lord provides - He always has and always will.
“Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” - Philippians 4:6
This painting reminds me of how the Lord will provide an abundant harvest. But these harvesters were preparing even before they knew what the harvest would be like. They put in the work and trusted in the Lord, giving everything over to Him. Our lives consist of faith AND works. We have faith in the Lord, pushing away any anxiety while at the same time working with what we have to produce the best of what we can.
If you feel drained and empty, anxiety filled because you are not having a bountiful harvest, it is okay. The Lord will provide in your emptiness and littleness. The Lord will still give you His Kingdom because He knows you will help produce good things. You can also take hope that the things you do now will help you to bear fruit later. When you work for the Lord you will be rewarded, whether it be in this life or the next.
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Written by Madeline Larson
Image can be found here:https://www.wikiart.org/en/vincent-van-gogh/red-vineyards-at-arles-1888
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