Sarafina planted the seed. We watered and fed them. We provided boundaries and support for most of the plants…sorry watermelons and pumpkins! Then there came the day where we could see the fruit being borne. The small green tomato, the small green pepper, and the blossom of the squash. What we were waiting for had finally happened. Yet, we still had to wait. The fruit was not fully formed and prematurely harvesting the fruit would lessen Sarafina’s enjoyment because the fruit would not be savory or flavorful.
In my ministry, there have been times where I have shared the Gospel: planted the seeds, watered and fertilized them, and watched as they have grown. It seems the time has come to bring in the harvest—to ask the person the important question of whether they desire to follow Jesus. The time has come, it seems, to invite the person to seek forgiveness and choose to follow Jesus as Lord of their lives. I have posed the question, only to have the person say, “Not yet.” Or, “I still don’t understand how someone could love me so much to die for me…it doesn’t make sense.”
My tendency in those times has been to double-down to try to convince the person or to try to better explain. I find myself questioning my presentation of the Gospel and wonder if I missed key points. It is in those times I am reminded of the patience necessary to reap the harvest. I may see the fruit forming and the Holy Spirit is working to bring the person to the point of decision, but the fruit is not yet ripe. In my impatience, I must remember the Holy Spirit is the one who is at work convicting the person of sin and God’s prevenient grace is at work inviting the person to the point of decision. In John 16:8 Jesus says, “When he (Advocate) comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” The Holy Spirit is the one at work to mature the fruit to the point of harvest.
Just as Sarafina had to be patient to allow the tomatoes to mature to red before harvesting, we must wait for the maturation of harvest through the Holy Spirit’s work in the person’s life before we witness the harvest of our spiritual planting, tending, and watering.
Where do you see the Holy Spirit at work and a fruit maturing to harvest, but just not yet fully ready? Are you exercising patience to stay the course till the fruit is mature? Are you trusting the Holy Spirit to bring about the harvest? As you consider where you have planted seed and tended the newly forming plant, consider the fruit starting to form and stay the course until harvest.
Prayer: Lord, it is hard to be patient at times to wait for the fruit to come to maturity. When I become impatient and speak too much, trying to convince a person of your grace, remind me of the Holy Spirit’s work. Grant me patience to stay the course to see the harvest. In Jesus’ name. Amen.