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 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:

“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’

“They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’”(Mark 4:35-41NIV)

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?

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 dishonor 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. 7 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:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4: 8-9NIV).

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 them, train and guide. You bloom with the flowers that come from self-discipline and dedication to duty, bearing fruit that delights God’s heart.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.” ( John 15: 9-17NIV).

If our harvest helps to heal life’s hurts, and to 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?