Harvest

I walked underneath a pine tree the other day. Above me was a bustle of work going on. Evidence scattered around the base of the tree hinted towards the driving agenda of the furious activity. Squirrels have stepped into overdrive to complete the last of their winter preparations. No one told them to do so. They just knew it was time. Their work, while intensified, didn't seem to be accompanied by anxiety. They just systematically harvested the blessings provided for them and prepared to use them. Winter is coming. 

Jesus, in two places, likens Kingdom attitude, work, and energy to this same behavior. First, he addresses the attitude of Kingdom people. Like the squirrels, we aren't to be driven by anxiety or dread. There are seasons when our intensity must be dialed up, but that is from faithfulness, not fretting. 

Luke 12:22-25

22 And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Moreover, Jesus directs the attitude and intensity of our work. He gives it purpose and vision. In addition, he shares the types of harvesting and storage we should and should not be doing. 

Matthew 6

19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Finally, if we read further, we learn the purpose of all this exertion. Simply put, it is the Kingdom of God. Our aim is the glory of our King. Our mission is eternal. Our work is our ministry.

Luke 12

 32 "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

In a world where physical scarcity exists, blessings are still abundant. However, winter is coming. How's your harvesting going?

Eyes Up,

Ryan