Celebrating the Harvest

From my vantage point in Southern California, the harvest season is more about lemons and oranges than pumpkins and wheat. This time of year it seems that everything is flourishing from roses to citrus fruits. The weather is cooler and the days shorter. Everything points to a time for celebration of the harvest season. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and there is no better time to reflect on the grace and goodness of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The contrast of a Southern California harvest of citrus fruits versus the traditional harvest of nuts, wheat, pumpkins, and corn reminds me of the harvest that is forthcoming when Jesus Christ returns.

Jesus Christ will harvest all those that are believers; Jew and Gentile alike. They may come from different walks of life and parts of the world but during the harvest of the Lord all believers will be part of the celebration. How are you preparing for the Harvest? Are you keeping watch for the Coming of the Lord? It is easy to become wrapped up in the everyday and ordinary details of life. As a follower of 

Christ you are called to see beyond the ordinary and to remain focused on pursuing the things of God, all of which are extraordinary. During this harvest season, set time aside to spend in quiet prayer reflecting on your gratefulness for all that God has provided to you in your life. Then go one step further and ask the Lord to keep the Harvest in your heart and mind so that you will remain watchful and ready for the Lord’s imminent return. What a amazing day that will be as all believers are caught up in the air with Christ and remain with Him forever!

 

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18