This latest word by Kim Potter is an incredible reminder of what it looks like to be READY for the harvest. She uses the example of her aunt's garden being ready for harvest. She draws a great parallel throughout this word and shares:
I would enourage you to really think and pray on this word and share it with your friends! Are you ready for the harvest? (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
When Harvest Calls, will You Go?
It was early on a Saturday morning. It had been a long week and I was looking forward to a quiet day at home.
I awakened early. First, I put a roast in the crock pot. Then, I mixed up a loaf of homemade bread and set it aside to rise. With the meal prep out of the way, my plan was to have some quiet time alone. I looked forward to time to study the Word and to let the busyness of the week fade away. It sounded so nice.
Then the phone rang.
"Who is calling me this early on a Saturday?" I thought as I picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
| "The harvest is truly plentiful. But those who want to do the work are few. What happens if no one comes and gathers in the harvest? It dies on the vine. It rots and is useless." |
"Well, what you are doing right now?" Came the familiar voice of my Aunt Sherry. I knew immediately what she meant. It wasn't a casual question. It was a call to action.
"No plans set in stone," I responded.
"Good, get your stuff together and come on."
My plans for a quiet day at home had changed in an instant. Why? Because the harvest was calling. When it's harvest time that is how it works. When it's ready, we must be ready.
You see, my aunt and uncle have a large garden. They harvest wonderful vegetables. After the produce is harvested, then they can the vegetable and put them away for the winter. They have always given family members a chance to participate and be a part of the harvest process which includes both the labor and the rewards from the labor. If you are ready and you partake, you are set for the winter season.
What I have learned is that when the harvest season nears, I am to remain ready at all times. When my aunt calls, I have to go. If I don't, there is no harvest for me and my family. There would be no green beans canned and put up for winter. There would be no potatoes in my pantry. There would be no corn, peaches or any of the other wonderful things the harvest brings. (Photo via Unsplash)
The first time I participated was a few years ago. At that time, my aunt called me along with about three other people to ask if we wanted to come help harvest, to can and put up food for winter. I immediately jumped at the chance. Who wouldn't for such an opportunity? But I learned later that not everyone shared my way of thinking.
"Kim, you are the only one that when I call, you are ready. You bring your jars and show up. You are the only one willing to do the work and come when I call," she explained with a sigh when I asked why others weren't there to help.
I came when she called, and as a result I have the bounty of the harvest.
How to Partake in the Harvest
What happens when harvest calls? I can tell you it's not always convenient. Just like this particular Saturday. I was looking forward to a quiet, peaceful day at home. But I knew, if I ignored my aunt's call, my pantry shelves would not be lined for the winter with the delicious, canned vegetables that were ready to be harvested.
I hung up the phone from our conversation and I loaded my vehicle. I answered the call of the harvest that day. I drove to my aunt's house, rolled up my sleeves and went to work. I picked green beans, washed them, broke them and then canned them. The result? Now, I am set for winter. To partake of the harvest we must labor for the harvest. And we must be ready when it's time to harvest. We don't get to choose the time. We must be ready when the harvest calls.
Jesus said in Matthew 9:37, "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.'"
| "To partake of the harvest we must labor for the harvest. And we must be ready when it's time to harvest. We don't get to choose the time." |
I saw this same principle with my aunt's garden. The harvest is truly plentiful. But those who want to do the work are few. What happens if no one comes and gathers in the harvest? It dies on the vine. It rots and is useless.
I have pondered this truth all week long. It was the Lord who spoke to me that morning and said, "When harvest calls, will you go?" He has continued to ask me that question throughout this week. I realize Jesus was talking about a harvest of souls. However, I don't believe He was only talking about being born again. Salvation includes so much more than going to Heaven when we die. It includes healing and health. It includes prosperity. It includes peace. It includes restoration. It includes walking in oneness with God, with Jesus and with the Holy Spirit. All that is included in our harvest.
I believe Jesus is speaking to us today. He is saying, "The harvest is calling, will you come?"
The work of harvest is not easy. It is not always convenient. It may require us to do things when we are weary. However, if we want harvest, we must come when the harvest calls. I believe the harvest is calling now. I believe that is why so many people are sensing a renewed urge to pray. I believe that is why so many of us are sensing an urge to press into God. He is calling us to read more of His Word. To study more. To fast more. To pray more. I believe the time is now. Harvest is calling. And the harvest needs laborers.
The Second Component to Harvesting
But there is a second part of this component and it is the rest of God. Hebrews 4:9-11 says, "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Photo via Unsplash)
The irony is that it takes work to get to that rest. Just like the harvest, there is a labor involved. Think of it this way: I work in the summer months, harvest vegetables and put them away for winter. At the end of summer, I enter into a kind of rest. My work is done. My harvest is put away. It will last me an entire season and so then I can enter into my rest in that area.
It is the same in the spirit. We labor in prayer. We labor in declaring the Word of God. We labor in refusing doubt and unbelief. And then the day comes when it is done. We see the harvest and we then enter into a time of rest.
My friends, harvest is calling, will you come? (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
Kim Potter
A New Thing Ministries
Email: kim@anewthingministries.com
Website: www.anewthingministries.com
In 2005 Kim Potter founded A New Thing Ministries which reaches thousands of readers daily. In addition, Kim speaks at conferences and meetings nationwide. Kim's message is a message of hope, and she speaks to the heart of those who have become discouraged and disappointed by the circumstances they face in life. She encourages people to press into God and discover that He is who He says He is. Nothing is more precious to her than the times she spends in the secret place with her God; from this place of oneness with Him, her anointing flows. Kim has witnessed God's dramatic healing power, both in her own life as well as with her daughter and many others.
To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List at this link http://elijahlist.com/subscribe.
