Harvest – Look, See, Pray

Autumn glory! Strong colours, harvest, fruit, mist, mellowness.

Yesterday we looked at the way Autumn can bring us to a sad moodiness… Today the focus changes. Three different takes on the season: the almost poetic transitions of a cherry tree where leaves slip from green through to scarlet. One twig hangs perpendicular to the ground: the purity and clarity of the colours speaks to me of change. Gentle progression, then exit with fireworks!

Then the beech leaves: gold and russet, backlit by warm low sunlight. Details of the veins stand out, the edges have crisped, and the strong golden light speaks of richness- the final triumphant fling, screaming out praises to the Creator who has made all things well.

Finally, the fruitfulness of an apple tree. Three perfectly formed fruit, representing the fulfilled promise of God in Genesis 8v22: “For as long as Earth lasts, planting and harvest, cold and heat, Summer and winter, day and night will never stop.”

Mild days, the hints of early frost, the approach of the season of rest. This is Autumn at its best. Respite before the rigours of winter, with the joyful echo of the best of spring and summer blended into a vibrant encore.

To finish, here is a prayer for Harvest by “Christians against Poverty” (C.A.P.).

Dear God, thank you for the rhythm of the different seasons. Thank you for the beauty of autumn, for the changing colours, the cooler air and the harvest food gathered. As I reflect on autumn, help me to see your hand at work, both within me and in nature. Help me to fix my eyes on you so that this season can be a time of gratitude, blessings and generosity towards others.

Faithful, loving God, at harvest time I pause to remember your goodness. Thank you for the wonderful things I have: the beauty of your creation, the kindness of others and the hope you give me in every season of my life. I’m grateful for moments of joy, for the people who walk with me in life and for your love. Help me to hold onto that gratitude, even during hard times, and to share that hope with other people. Amen.

I’ve been thinking about life in this world where so much is chaotic and painful. Feeling deeply grateful that faith in Christ reminds us that we can have a hope that transcends the weight of the news, politics, homelessness and lovelessness that bombards our senses every day.

Every year the farmer sows in hope of a harvest. Those seeds experience dirt, cold, heat, rain, drought, storms, bugs, light and darkness. Yet still they grow and bring comfort and sustenance… after being bashed, threshed and baked! They give life to others: and some seeds who avoid the baker will be re-sown for the harvest the year after. Life wins!

Quote from Henri Nouwen: “Our mortal bodies, flesh and bones, will return to the earth. As the writer of Ecclesiastes says: “Everything goes to the same place, everything comes from the dust, everything returns to the dust” (Ecclesiastes 3:20). Still, all that we have lived in our bodies will be honoured in the resurrection, when we receive new bodies from God.

What sorts of bodies will we have in the resurrection? Paul sees our mortal bodies as the seeds for our resurrected bodies: “What you sow must die before it is given new life; and what you sow is not the body that is to be, but only a bare grain, of wheat I dare say, or some other kind; it is God who gives it the sort of body that he has chosen for it, and for each kind of seed its own kind of body” (1 Corinthians 15:36-38). We will be as unique in the resurrection as we are in our mortal bodies, because God, who loves each of us in our individuality, will give us bodies in which our most unique relationship with God will gloriously shine.”

Love wins.

Those who hold to this hope can make a difference in this life for those who are desperate for any harvest. Nations with wealth have responsibility to help those who have nothing. A real hope of eternity surely leads to working towards positive change.