Harvest

Harvest

This is a time to remember with thankfulness for God’s provision of this good earth, and its produce to sustain life. It’s also a time to remind ourselves that we are in the privileged 10% that holds 90% of the resources and we have a responsibility for the sharing of these and being a voice for those that cannot be heard. The impact of the global Pandemic on the poor has left many struggling for the basic necessities, we were short of toilet roll and now fuel, whilst for millions the daily struggle of feeding a family has been dependent on aid.

With the expected impact of climate change both now and in the future, things are evener closer to the predictions, so food poverty and resource needs will be even greater. We may find empty shelves more often and higher prices, and those with less in our own community will continue to struggle.

We cannot as individuals or as church solve every problem, but following Jesus’ command to lay down our life, take up our cross and follow Him should lead us to a less selfish life, a life that loves to give rather than receive. Paul in the New Testament said when we come to faith in Jesus “its no longer I who live but Christ lives in me” and our “life has been Crucified with Christ”. This means to forego the selfish, physical, and egotistical desires of this world and wholeheartedly seek the kingdom of God. When we seek the Kingdom of God that includes care of others.

I remember a story of a beach in California, where one year millions of star fish were washed ashore and left stranded, all helpless waiting to die. A Man walking on the beach saw a boy picking them up one by one and throwing them back in the sea. The man asked ‘Why are you bothering? What difference do you think you are making?’. The boy held a star fish and said ‘it makes a huge difference for this one’ and with that he threw it into the sea.

Like the seed that goes onto the ground, and produces many seeds, so are like Jesus’ followers who do the same die to self and produce much life for ourselves and others.