Laboring in a spiritual harvest

One of the things that I have most enjoyed about my commute to work in Lima during the Thanksgiving season is passing small farms and viewing the fields that are being cleared after the fall corn harvest. Much of the farmland is vast and such a peaceful sight to behold on a sunny day when God has decorated the sky with fluffy, white cumulus clouds. As I have sometimes passed farmers tilling the ground or gotten stuck on the road behind a wide row crop tractor, I have thought about God's divine system of sowing and reaping. Planting seeds in the ground that yield a plentiful harvest is remarkable and incredibly satisfying, thanks to the evidence manifested through diligent labor. When reading Genesis 1:11 (New Living Translation), where God says, "Let the land sprout with vegetation — every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit," commanding that "(t)hese seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came," I often marvel that Jesus' temporary occupation was as a carpenter rather than a farmer. The land harvest was obviously significant to God in His plan for creation. Many Bible verses speak of God's promise to bring forth an abundant harvest from physically plowing land, such as Psalm 85:12, which says, "the LORD shall give that which is good, and our land shall yield her increase." Psalm 107:37 also speaks of "(yielding) fruits of increase" from "(sowing in) the fields." Regarding our spiritual harvest, I have often reflected on Matthew 9:37-38, where Jesus said, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields." Jesus said this because of the tremendous work He was doing in ministry as He traveled through the Galilean region and surrounding areas, casting out demonic spirits, teaching the Word, and healing the sick. He foresaw that Kingdom ministry would require dedicated followers to help draw people to God and meet their spiritual needs. This work would go far beyond what He and His disciples were doing at that time. When I look at what is going on in the world today, and specifically in our country, many people are suffering, whether it be for lack of physical necessities or wrestling with a mental and spiritual void. People need God just as much as they did when Jesus walked the earth, and I know, as John 4:35 says, that the fields are ripe for harvest. With Thanksgiving approaching this year, I have been giving a lot of thought to my role as a laborer in the ministry God has entrusted to me. I am especially excited about the families that my church will be blessing with Thanksgiving baskets, as the demand for food assistance in Ohio continues to increase. When people see that there is genuine concern for their welfare and well-being, this opens the door for witnessing and building authentic relationships. Early in my walk with Christ, I did not focus on my role as a laborer in a spiritual harvest. I was locked in on what God was going to give me, and He gave me a lot, but I did not understand how much He needed me to give of myself to others. I also did not understand how much people really needed my ministry, specifically my God-given gift of life-changing words as a writer and teacher. Now, I am determined to be a laborer in the field whom the Lord can depend on. I cannot afford to be slothful or idle during these times. This Thanksgiving, as I plant seeds using my talent and resources, I am grateful that God will richly bless my return. Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at smojc.jj@gmail.com.