A Time to Sow: Part 2Sample

The Final Harvest

Time is one of our most precious commodities. It’s something we never get back and something we can’t get more of. When we think about the value of every second, minute, and hour, we start to grasp the weight of everything that consumes our lives. It also reveals the power of the seeds we plant. How much time do we spend planting seeds that nurture God’s kingdom?

The Parable of the Weeds is a strong analogy of the weight of the seeds we plant. In the parable, we read how the Son of Man sows good seeds – people of the kingdom – while the devil sows weeds – people of the evil one (Matthew 13:36-43). The angels will weed out of God’s kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil, and “the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”

While we need to be aware of the seeds we are sowing into our own lives, we should also be proactive in sowing healthy and fruitful seeds in those around us. Ultimately, we are sowing seeds for the benefit of the kingdom. 1 Peter 4:10 to 11, says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”

Yet, we also have to be on guard for the weeds that can be planted in our lives and in those around us. As it says in the Parable of the Weeds, everyone was sleeping when his enemy came and sowed weeds among the good seeds. Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

The final harvest is a representation of the kingdom of God. We can’t be so focused on sowing seeds into our lives that we miss out on the opportunity to sow seeds that will reap a plentiful harvest for the kingdom. This should be our charge to live out the Great Commission and to partner alongside the local church. The time we have on earth is precious. Imagine how different our world would be if we prioritized spending time to serve others as Jesus did and sought to build a beautiful and plentiful harvest for the kingdom.