Tag meditation

The fall and the harvest

The bible’s references to the fall season primarily center around the context of harvest and God’s provisions. These are both viewed as part of God’s overall design for our lives. Key verses connect the fall to the earth, yielding its increase, and the importance of waiting for the harvest. The idea is that all things have a season. Of course, Ecclesiastes has a lot to say about seasons.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 states that there is a “time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens,” listing examples such as times to be born and to die, to plant and to harvest, to weep and to laugh, and to wage war and to make peace. This passage emphasizes that God has a perfect, divine timing for all life’s events and circumstances. 

The word season serves as a symbolic reminder of life’s transitions. It symbolizes the eventual spiritual “harvest” of souls for the kingdom. It also highlights the fleeting nature of earthly things compared to the enduring Word of God.  

An idea for reflection

I love January because I always use it as a time of reflection and planning. But I’m wondering if I shouldn’t do it for each of the seasons. For example:

Spring: newness, planting, hope

Summer: joy, freedom, excitement

Fall: harvest, gleaning, preparing

Winter: hibernation, settling, anticipation

That was pretty much off the top of my head. I wanted it to be spontaneous. It was just what came to my mind without thinking too hard. I like what I came up with, and I’m wondering if it’s a God-prompt for the next book. I think it just might be.

The specifics

Here’s how I envision the process.

For spring, newness (spiritual renewal), planting seeds for harvest (witnessing), and hope (deepening my faith).

For summer, joy (renewing my joy in Christ), freedom (letting go of things that hold me back), and excitement (adding more spark to my faith).

For fall, harvest (witnessing to more people), gleaning (identifying the fruits of my efforts), and preparing (thinking of future endeavors).

For winter, hibernation (deep reflection), settling (enjoying the present moment), and anticipation (thinking about what God might be doing).

Reflection is an art

Do you like to meditate? I do.

Mediation is not something mysterious; it’s reflection, and everyone knows how to do that. I consider reflection a spiritual discipline, and it often includes silence and solitude. I prefer reflection when it’s not for a specific reason. Then, I’m not focused on problem-solving. The Holy Spirit is free to lead me as He wills. But if I’m struggling with someone or some issue, I make time for it as well.

I function much better when I take time for reflection. I also find myself being more measured and thoughtful in how I react to difficult people and troublesome situations.

Deep reflection requires honesty with ourselves before God, a desire for growth, and a commitment to change. Share on X

In my book on prayer, DEEPER, I go into detail about practicing the four disciplines. Two of these disciplines are silence and solitude. Silence and solitude are necessary for both reflection and meditation.

Fall as harvest and provision.

Jesus uses the metaphor of a plentiful harvest. He describes the abundance of souls to be brought into God’s kingdom through salvation. In Matthew 9:37-38. He says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” This highlights the vast number of people ready to receive the message of the Gospel. It also emphasizes the urgent need for disciples to reach them. Similarly, in John 4:35, Jesus encourages His followers to open their eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest.

This imagery underscores the importance of evangelism. It calls for believers to actively bring others to Christ. It also encourages nurturing new believers in their spiritual journeys.

So, it seems to me this is a perfect season for reflection.

What do you think?

God bless, and have a good day.

/