Planters and Gatherers
Scripture Reading — John 4:27-42
“Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
John 4:35
Though we are called to live for God in all kinds of careers and vocations, we have to remember one thing: Jesus calls us all to be planters and gatherers.
He wants folks who work hard together to produce his harvest: the rich variety of people from all nations whom God will welcome into his kingdom.
Jesus wants followers who will risk new plantings and tend the soil patiently till it produces. He wants us to see how our livelihood depends on the harvest. Our hearts must beat for it.
Jesus saw Samaritans approaching after the woman he was speaking with told others about him. Jesus had planted a seed, and it was now yielding a crop.
Unfortunately his disciples were wrapped up in their everyday busyness. While it was fine to go into town to get food for Jesus and themselves (see John 4:8), the disciples paid no attention to the people around them. They ignored the Samaritans’ need to hear about the Messiah.
Let’s not be a church of people who only go about our daily busyness and forget to share God’s love and good news with others.
Let’s be a people who eat, drink, plant, work at, and dream of his harvest!
Master, thank you that we can share in your work. We’ll keep tilling, planting, watering, weeding, and gathering the lost. Open our eyes so that we see the potential for harvest wherever we go. Amen.
About the author — Norm Prenger
Rev. Norm Prenger is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary. He pastored churches in Alberta and British Columbia before he was disabled by a heart attack and a post-operative stroke. He now lives with his wife, Gwen, near Thunder Bay, Ontario. He enjoys fishing, writing, drumming, and encouraging his fishing partners and neighbors to follow Jesus.
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