Harvesttime

Harvest is not just for farmers. Christ Jesus used the metaphor of sowing and reaping to describe mental activity.He showed clearly, for instance, how important it is to prepare the mental soil if we want a crop of healthy, productive living. Speaking of a sower who planted seed in a field, Jesus told how some of the seed fell on a rock, "and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture." Jesus explained the metaphor: "They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away."

But other seed fell on good ground. These, Jesus said, "are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." n1

n1 See Luke 8:4 -- 15.

The soil is vital. So, too, is the seed. What do we sow in thought? After all, the outer facts of our lives reflect our innermost thoughts. Shouldn't we be careful never to sow anything in our mental acre that we don't want in our world?

In may seem easy to cultivate thoughts. And, indeed, if we shape them according to divine Truth, the cultivation will be easy. However, it is important to make sure the divine law of sowing and reaping has strictly been followed.

All real life is a continuing unfoldment governed by God, divine Life. Man is Life's expression, constantly reflecting the great qualities of his infinite, spiritual source. As we live these qualities we find broadened capacities, higher achievements, sounder relationships. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes encouragingly, "Your fruits will prove what the understanding of God brings to man." n2 Harvesttime for each of us is daily and hourly. Thoughts are seeds, and they bear fruit according to their character.

n2 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,m p. 496.

The experienced farmer will wisely put the best seed into the ground after preparing the soil with care. Then he will patiently wait for all the steps of growth. He doesn't try to push nature for a quicker ripening. And he doesn't doubt the result of his work when there is nothing to be seen the next day.

We should be as patient with our mental cultivation and turn to God in trusting recognition of His care for man. Our mental seed should be a sturdy kernel of spiritual qualities. When we want health or joy or peace we must cultivate healthful, joyous, and peaceful thoughts as our seed. The fruits of such work can't help appearing sooner or later -- and in a very mature condition , for God's law takes care of the sprouting.

Understanding of the divine law of sowing and reaping is a good way to keep ourselves going in the right direction. We can be alert to avoid thoughts that may germinate as weeds of bitterness, hatred, loss, or sickness. If we are disappointed in our harvest, we may be sure we have taken in, somehow or somewhere, a false seed, and we should get busy tearing it out with all its roots. It is never too late to replace it. Galatians says clearly: "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." n3

n3 Galatians 6:7, 8.

All seed needs to be watered. Our prayers of fresh inspiration are the moisture that gives strength to the bud, uplifting our hopes. It should be clear that the sowing is accomplished deep inside our consciousness, but the fruits are to be seen everywhere in our lives. They cannot be hidden.

We never need to be discouraged if our expectations for our lives are not yet reached. We have an infinite choice of thoughts for sowing, coming freshly from God, all-knowing Mind, and promising a satisfying harvest. When we want to reap better fruits, we can furnish our consciousness with purer seed.

Prayer will help us patiently wait for ripening. Spiritual harvesttime doesn't occur in a hurry. But as we are guided by immortal facts of being, we discover step by step a richness that surpasses even the finest goods of the world. DAILY BIBLE VERSE Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap. Revelation 14:15