We are in the throes of the fall season. The leaves turn colors and the crops that have been planted in the spring are harvested. The state of Connecticut has several fairs and festivals in the fall to celebrate harvest time and the agricultural industry, which often starts with local farms. Orchards and farms will gather, pluck, and process their fruits and vegetables, which are sent to local sellers and supermarkets. Some families still can their fruits and vegetables in the old-fashioned way so they will have provisions in their homes for the winter months. The success of our harvest will depend on how much we planted or how well we cultivated the seeds we planted in the spring. While the growers may have done everything humanly possible to tend their crops, external forces will also have an impact on the results, like the weather, pests, and theft or vandalism of the crops, gardens, and orchards. An experienced farmer learns to be patient, and knows when to wait and when to intervene in his or her plantings.
Similar metaphors of harvest apply to our lives. We’ve often heard the expression that “You reap what you sow.” Several bible verses remind us that our thoughts are like the seeds that are planted in our hearts and minds. But the actions we take either cultivate growth or show neglect or harm. When we meet others (family, friends, or strangers), we must remember that our words and actions matter. This was the point that Jesus was trying to get across to his followers in a story about a Sower planting seed. Those seeds fall on different types of soil, some more fertile than others (Luke 13:18). Similarly, moral and ethical precepts are heard by many types of people, some more receptive than others.
As we think about harvest time in the fall, let us remember that our thoughts are the seeds to our destiny. We must carefully choose what we plant and how we cultivate those seeds. Everyone can have a harvest of love, companionship and peace if they give loving attention to the seedbed of their hearts. Do not neglect this valuable piece of real estate. A scripture from the book of James (3:18) affirms that those “who sow in peace will reap a harvest of righteousness.” However, like the patient farmer, a verse in the book of Galatians (6:9) reminds us that the results of our lives are set by our self-discipline and persistence. The verse says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”
This fall, I noticed how many companies, agencies, schools and professional groups review the results of their efforts, their harvest. Whether they are looking at the gains and losses of a fiscal year, giving students their grades for the season, or conducting annual reviews, fall is a time when we begin to see the fruits of our labor in life and work. Even taking external factors into account, we are still measured by the amount of effort, study, and engagement we have put into our lives. Some may have reaped a profit, a promotion, or a new relationship. Like the harvest of the land requires careful cultivation, the harvest of our heart does even more so because the fruits are more lasting in our memories, and in the minds of those we encounter. Have we planted seeds of encouragement, harmony, diligence, or have we sown discord, confusion, and discomfort? Only we know what we are capable of, and must strive to give our best.
If you need help in cultivating the ground of your heart, look to the wisdom of your spiritual tradition such as the Christian scriptures, the Koran, the Torah, the Talmud as well as teachings from Buddhism and Hinduism. All spiritual traditions can provide insights into life’s patterns and purposes. Find a psychologically safe and caring community that feels right for you. Learn to share thoughts and be open to listening to others. Listen to inspirational music and turn to the Holy One for enlightenment through prayer and reflection. Practice inviting a sense of the sacred into your life.
Spirituality is available to all, outside of having any organized religious beliefs. If you feel nurtured by nature, let that help plant the seeds within as you spend time outside walking, camping, or playing sports. Perhaps you have a hobby or a passion that makes you come alive, like writing, cooking, knitting, or photography. I believe that all of us can be artists in some way. Many people have a creative streak in them, yet feel they have never had the chance to practice it. But creativity comes in many guises–arranging flowers, a new more efficient arrangement of utensils in the kitchen drawer, finding a way to help a friend in need. Volunteering for worthy causes can help others who are less fortunate, and also create for us a new and different perspective on life, and on ourselves. Like the crops, we too may face seasons of spiritual drought or storminess. But remember, we can find help from the God, or god, who helps us to grow so that we can yield a harvest from our hearts.
