Category Archives: Harvest

Different Perspectives

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Different Perspectives

There we were; our intellects pitted against the artificial intelligence of a simple computer game, and we were temporarily on the losing side. Although my husband and I both enjoy computer games which require strategy, we are often confounded by them. It’s not that we lack smarts; there are just some things in life that are a bit more complex and harder to figure out –teenagers, for instance.

Still, it fascinates me the way that my husband and I, sitting at the same computer, playing the same game, always see things from an entirely different perspective. About the time I see a great strategic move, he does something completely unexpected, yet effective –and vice versa. Even so, we usually manage to conquer the game somehow.

I find the same principle holds true in everyday life. Some of the more complicated decisions require effective strategy, yet my husband and I often approach the matter from different perspectives. It is amazing how uniquely God has created each of us. And yet, we can work quite well together and achieve the same goals quite effectively.

And the same holds true for the body of Christ. We are all working together for the same purpose, which is sharing the gospel with those who are lost and perishing. Given the vast number of denominations, and their differing outreaches, it is obvious that we are all approaching this great commission with very different perspectives. And there is nothing wrong with that, so long as we are not breaching God’s commandments; because reaching the lost, not being an easy task to accomplish, often requires diverse strategies.

Don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying, as do many deceived individuals, that all roads lead to Heaven. Absolutely not! There is only one way to the Father and that is through Jesus Christ: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). However, we must always remember that our battle is with evil, spiritual, forces and not with each other. Besides, we may be pleasantly surprised to find that another’s methods are far more effective than our own, even if they are quite dissimilar.

Finally, brethren, let us not forget Ephesians 4:2-6 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Spring Into Action

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“I don’t like to play in the dirt,” a friend recently told me. Obviously, she doesn’t share my enthusiasm for gardening. While I certainly respect her position, I’m a country girl at heart, and take my grandmother’s words seriously that, “A little dirt never hurt anyone.” Now that it’s spring, I get to do a lot of ‘playing’ and I’m quite pleased about that.

In fact, I find the feel of rich, dark soil in my hands to be rather therapeutic. There is just something incredibly wonderful in knowing that vigorous new life will soon spring forth from it, and I will have had a hand in that. What’s more, I never cease to be amazed at the miracle of life –even the life of a tiny new plant.

Whenever I see a teeny seedling that has broken through the ground, I can’t help but marvel at how it assumes a posture of praise -tiny new leaves stretched heavenward towards the light. Then, all the time and effort I previously spent preparing the soil, and tending to the seed, is forgotten in the same way a mother’s labor pains vanish at the very moment she sees her newborn chid’s face.

I can’t help but think that our Heavenly Father feels much the same way each time a soul climbs out of this world’s dirt and reaches for His light. Dear reader, our Heavenly Father does not need us to help tend His garden, yet He has given us the privilege of doing so until He gathers His harvest. God’s children all have a hand in planting the Gospel seed, and watering it, until vigorous life springs forth (I Corinthians 3:5-9).

Finally, brethren, let us not neglect to pray. If we are to see a harvest for God’s kindgom, this is the most important part of our labor. To quote Rudyard Kipling, “Adam was a gardener, and God, who made him, sees that half of all gardening is done upon the knees.”