The Tribune

By Rev Angela C Bosfield Palacious

I am a gardener and enjoy reaping from my own limited efforts. This is a wonderful time of the year. Pots, plots, fields, whatever is helpful according to your time and budget. The Promised Land is described in this way: "Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land -- a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. (Deuteronomy 8:6-9 NIV).

The best harvest of all has nothing to do with fruit or vegetables. It has everything to do with the life that we live. What are some of the things that you think that God wants us to produce during our time on earth?

Inner peace: Imagine a life with the absence of strife and turmoil as the rule and not the exception. This is not a permanent state but it is attainable more often than not. The serene tranquil experience of God's presence can provide a calm that sustains us even in a storm. Have you asked Jesus into your boat? If you have already embraced the christian faith: Are you committed? Are you genuine? Are you passionate about the things of God? Consider Matthew 8:23-27 NIV: "Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!' He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, 'What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!'

Loving kindness: God's love for you overflows when you truly desire to please God, and live for others as your approach to life. Wise but harmless, forgiving and forbearing, you live with harmony of relationship as your goal: There is no power play, no desire or need to dominate, no place for violence, no obscenity, no pornography. You have a respect for the dignity of all persons which means that you do not manipulate or intimidate: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV).

Joyful exuberance: Playfulness, lightheartedness, pleasantness and when serious, there is pleasure in living and loving, listening and giving. You are a blessing to live with, work with, associate with at any level. The sensitive side of you sees both the dark and light side of human nature, but you remain suffused with the light of Christ. There is sun and rain in each day, and you have learnt how to celebrate anyway.

Think of life as planting, weeding, blooming, and bearing fruit. Think of your purpose as being able to reflect God's glory in some small way to bring others to Christ. If you target those who have no idea of their eternal worth and value, then you plant seeds of inspiration and encouragement, weeding out distractions so as to motivate, train and guide them. You bloom with the flowers that come from self-discipline and dedication to duty, bearing fruit that delights God's heart.

If our harvest helps to heal life's hurts and be a compassionate companion for others on the journey life, then it will be a life that has deep meaning. To love God, others and ourselves is a life engaging activity. What kind of fruit is your life bearing? What kind of harvest are you trying to produce?

• Rev Angela Palacious, a motivational speaker and author of several devotional books, is an Anglican priest. She may be contacted at 393-9000 or by e-mail at angelapalacious@gmail.com.