Seed.TIME.Harvest

When you hear the word “Time” what do you think of? How does one even begin to define that word? The dictionary has several definitions of the word “time” but the one that caught my attention is the one that defines it as:

“the continuous passage of existence in which events pass from a state of potentiality in the future, through the present, to a state of finality in the past” [World English Dictionary].

Now, that definition seems a bit vague and somewhat confusing but it’s simply defining time as the passage of life and life events. In Genesis, God makes a covenant with Creation after the flood and says, “While the earth remain, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night shall not cease.” [Gen 8:22, NKJV, emphasis mine]. Now, if we put a comma (,) between the word ‘seedtime’, we come up with ‘seed’, ‘time’ and thus, Seedtime and harvest becomes Seed, time and harvest. Now, we all know that when any fruit seed is planted, time is involved before the fruit (harvest) can be manifested. Time is a word that is often synonymous with waiting. Does it seem like you’ve planted and sowed your seed faith and  your harvest doesn’t seem like its on its way? Rest assured, there will ALWAYS be a harvest, but remember, there is time between your seed, and the manifestation of your harvest. This is a principle that is evident in so may facets of our lives. Consider a pregnant woman and the process of pregnancy. The sperm (seed) is planted in her womb, time passes, and then the baby (harvest) is produced. Throughout the 9 or so months of waiting, she remains expectant and hardly doubts that the seed in her womb will grow into a bountiful harvest. As we wait for the manifestation of the promises of God in our lives, it’s important for us to understand this principle and remain confidently expectant through the process, because God is faithful and His word is reliable, stable, eternal, and will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8).

There are numerous examples in The Word of God that exemplify this principle in the lives of believers. Consider Abraham and Sarah, who waited on the promise God gave them, that He would make Abraham’s descendants into a great nation, and that an heir will come from them (Gen 15:4-5). This promise seemed unlikely considering that Abraham and Sarah were quite advanced in age….it would take a miracle for that promise to be fulfilled, but they believed God and after quite a while, 25 years to be exact, Isaac, their promised heir was born. Then there is Moses, who waited 40 years in the desert before being placed in a position to fulfill his calling. Now consider Joseph, one of Jacob’s 12 sons. We are all very well acquainted with Joseph but in the event that you are not, read Genesis 37-47. God gave Joseph dreams of greatness (the seed), Joseph planted this seed by believing God (and we know he believed because he went around telling anyone he could about his dreams of greatness, to the extent that he was rebuked by his father for this [Gen 37:10]). Thirteen years later, the dream came to fruition. The time between the promise given and the harvest was fraught with difficulties and trials of every kind for Joseph. These hard years enabled God to develop wisdom in Joseph beyond his years that prepared him for his life’s calling. But notice Joseph’s attitude. He did not grow weary or waver in unbelief but kept trusting God, using his gifts and talents for God’s purposes, “and he [though a slave] was a successful and prosperous man…”(Gen 39:2, AMP).

You may feel somewhat trapped in the prison of time. You’ve planted, now you’re waiting. Just like the farmer who plants the seed and expectantly waits for the harvest, let’s learn to patiently wait for the harvest, not allowing frustration to take root. To wait does not mean passive resignation, but confident expectation that you will reap the harvest because, “Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for His, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!”. (Isaiah 30:18b, AMP). Now that’s a powerful word! Like Joseph, while we wait, let’s use the gifts and talents God has given us now for His purposes. Let’s not sit on the sidelines of life, but be effective and relevant in our sphere of influence. Let’s allow God mold and shape us into the beautiful vessels he has created us to be. Let’s not lose heart and grow weary or faint in doing good, “for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.” (Galatians 6:9, AMP). My encouragement to you (and to myself) is to keep trusting God, no matter what. Easier said than done, right? Worrying and fretting over your future is actually a sin. Why? Because worry implies that your problem is bigger than God, thus making it an idol, and thus breaking the 2nd commandment. This realization has helped me in that when I am tempted to worry, I surrender worry and concern to Jesus, for He has said my times and future are in His hands (Jeremiah 29:11). It’s something that has to be done constantly though, because the temptation to worry while waiting on the promises of God to be fulfilled is strong, more so in this day and age.

Seed has to be planted and time has to pass before a harvest can be reaped. Plant your seed of faith today. Believe God! Wait confidently and expectantly for the promises of God to be fulfilled in your life, for He has promised that those who wait on Him will never be put to shame, and “those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles […]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” (Isaiah 40:31, AMP).  And no matter what, keep on trusting God!