Embracing the Promise of Due Season

We have many seasons that we observe as we go through this life, and the most obvious ones are of course the seasons of Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall. There are certain characteristics that can define each season even if a person doesn’t live in an area where they are extremely evident.

For those who are sports fans, perhaps some of the seasons above don’t ring a bell, but your seasons consist of Football Season, Baseball Season, Hockey Season, Basketball Season, Hunting Season, and on and on it goes.

Farmers, too, eagerly await the arrival of the right season for their crops to thrive. Although not a farmer, my mother-in-law has waited for the early days of spring, just as the snow has melted away and the ground is beginning to thaw to plant her vegetables. She has watered the plants adequately, provided it with sunlight, fertilized as directed, removed pesky weeds, but up to this point, the vegetables have yet to emerge or yield any results. I went to observe yesterday, and to my surprise, a flower was beginning to emerge, signaling that we will before long harvest vegetables.

This reminds me of Galatians 6:7-9 (NKJV) “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
 
So often, we speak of the law of sowing and reaping as primarily a negative, but it's clear that it can also be a positive! In the words of the Apostle Paul, we find a timeless principle that speaks to the very core of our actions and consequences. The scripture reminds us that our choices have outcomes, and the nature of those outcomes is directly linked to what we invest in and prioritize. It also teaches us about the law of sowing and reaping – a spiritual truth that can guide our lives and deepen our relationship with God.

The passage begins with a stern warning: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked.” This sentence underlines the fact that our actions and intentions are never hidden from God. We may deceive ourselves and others, but God sees beyond the surface into our hearts. The verse emphasizes the inescapable nature of the law of reaping what we sow. Just as a farmer cannot plant one type of seed and expect to harvest a different kind of crop, we cannot live contrary to God’s principles and expect to reap blessings.

When we sow to our flesh, when we prioritize our own desires and selfish ambitions, we are setting ourselves up for a harvest of corruption – decay, disappointment, and emptiness. On the other hand, when we sow to the Spirit, when we invest in actions that align with God’s will and character, we can expect to reap the blessings of everlasting life – a life marked by spiritual growth, fulfillment, and intimacy with God.

Yet, in the midst of this truth, Paul, not only, encourages, but also, urges us not to grow weary in doing good. Life’s journey can be challenging, and at times, it may seem that our efforts go unnoticed or unappreciated. But the promise stands: “In due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” The rewards of sowing to the Spirit may not always be immediate, but they are certain. Our perseverance in doing good is a demonstration of our faith and trust in God’s timing and plan.

I pray that we would sow to the Spirit and reap everlasting life! We live in a challenging world filled with so much self and selfish pursuits. We, as the people of God should be different, knowing that there is a DUE SEASON coming one day!

Pray with me: God, help us sow seeds of the Spirit in a self-centered world. Strengthen us to stand firm and shine Your light. Remind us of the due season ahead, where our efforts will bloom. Guide us to live for You and lead others to eternal life. Amen.
By Rev. Kay Dubuisson