Issue #204, April 5, 2017
In the last issue we examined when it is time to sow or plant. There is a time to plant and a time to harvest. Every farmer plants with the expectation of a harvest to come. Every leader plants with the anticipation that there will be a time when they will reap the fruit of their labor. Paul encourages servant leaders to look forward to a time of harvest in his letter to the Galatian church. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:7-10). Paul informs servant leaders to expect a harvest when they have done three things well.
It’s time to harvest when we have planted carefully.
A good harvest is dependent on proper planting. Good seeds will produce a good harvest while bad seeds will result in the wrong results. A leader who plants “to please his sinful nature” cannot expect a good harvest. Servant leaders recognize that motives are as significant as actions. If they work hard to achieve a vision that is selfish they cannot expect God’s blessing on the results. The external actions may be good but the motives are wrong. A business leader whose primary goal is to make money cannot expect a spiritual harvest. A church leader who is most concerned about building a name for themselves cannot expect God’s blessing on the results. It may take a long time before the results are evident, but servant leaders carefully examine what they are planting before they expect positive results.
It’s time to harvest when we have plowed continuously.
Planting is always the first step but every farmer carefully tends the crop as it grows. The farmer doesn’t sit around and simply watch the crop grow. Instead he weeds, plows, and waters as needed to ensure a harvest. Paul refers to this as the “doing good” which comes before the time of reaping. Servant leaders continually examine their own lives to discover “weeds” that need to be removed, attitudes that need to be changed, or motives which are wrong. They observe what is happening in their own hearts as well as those around them. They are willing to do the hard work of “plowing” to remove anything that hinders a good harvest. Servant leaders pay careful attention to the condition of the crop recognizing that some areas may need additional water or fertilizer. They work with God to strengthen the crop in their hands and acknowledge that this is a continuous process, not a one-time event.
It’s time to harvest when we have persevered courageously.
Paul promises that “at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” When the right seeds have been planted and the crop has been properly tended, the harvest is only a matter of time. In the realm of leadership, we may not always know how long it will take but perseverance is always needed before the harvest. Servant leaders recognize that they cannot control the timing of the harvest, but they can courageously persevere! They do not allow setbacks or delays to make them give up. They anticipate the harvest, but they do not try to force it to happen.
Every leader looks forward to harvest time! Servant leaders focus on doing what they can do, planting the right seeds and nurturing the crop. The expectation of the harvest keeps them going. May you experience the joy of the harvest in your own leadership.
For further reflection and discussion:
- What “seeds” have I been sowing as a leader? Will these “seeds” produce the results I desire?
- Have I experienced any “harvest” in my leadership which is not what I wanted to see? If so, what does that indicate about the seeds I planted?
- What are my motives for accomplishing my vision? Are they primarily about me or about accomplishing God’s purposes in my leadership? What harvest will my current motives produce?
- What are the “weeds” that have grown up in my own life and leadership? What will it take to “plow” or remove these hindrances to a good harvest? What kind of leader am I becoming? What is the condition of those around me who are also working with me towards a harvest?
- In what ways am I tempted to give up the work of planting and plowing as a leader? How does the anticipated harvest keep me going?