Dear Friends,

Once again Harvest Time is upon us this month as we celebrate with our Harvest Supper and give in the Altar Service. We give thanks to God for the many blessings for which we must be grateful when we see the situations of desperate plight around the world.

Since living in Histon, I have come to truly appreciate the hard work that goes into farming. There is the preparing of the land, the sowing of the seeds, the tending to the crops followed by the reaping of the harvest. It’s easy to state in a few words but the reality is it is very hard work that takes time and effort to reach the completion of a harvest.

This experience has also made me truly appreciate the words of Jesus when He said to His disciples that, ”the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37) It is hard work in reaching people for God, in seeing the unchurched (those that don’t know Christ)
become Christians.

Just like a farmer, we prepare the land by getting to know people who are not Christians. As the farmers tend to their crops, so we would seek to develop those friendships over time. It means praying for the Holy Spirit to move in the lives of our non-Christian family and friends and then praying some more! My father spent over 20 years praying for my Uncle before he became a Christian! The challenge is to keep going and not give up just because the work is hard. Maybe that is why Jesus says the workers are few?

Yet, what Jesus is also saying is that the hard work will be worth it. The harvest is ripe so that means that we will see people come to God and accept Christ as their Saviour just as we once did! As we celebrate Harvest later this month, let us also think about the spiritual harvest we are seeking. Take to heart the words of St Paul, when he said, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
May God bless you,

Paul Wood
Captain