What kind of harvest?

The number of Covid infections are rising and more of the country finds itself under new restrictions, at the same time an independent inquiry into child sexual abuse found that the anglican church failed to take abuse allegations seriously. That the church has neglected the “physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing” of the young is tragic and the results of this revelation will have profound effects for many years on the mission of the church. Amongst it all Jesus remains the same refuge and rescuer, saviour and seeker of the lost. So in the darkest of places the light of Christ will shine all the brighter.

At harvest we give thanks for God’s good provision to us and we remember the huge numbers of people who have to live with food poverty. So let us join together to help those who months ago would have been making donations themselves, yet now find themselves in need of support, let us be the light of Christ to them.

If the current situation brings about a harvest of prayer and confession then good things will come. If the challenge of the current situation brings us to our knees in prayer and crying out for those in need then there is hope.

What kind of harvest comes depends on how we respond. Will we respond in humility seeking God’s help, grace and strength or will we prepare ourselves for a bumpy winter? Those who pray “help me in my unbelief, help me in my spiritual poverty” will be met by Jesus. So let us seek to pray for others, for ourselves, for the Church of England and for the survivors of abuse.

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’

Matthew 9:37-38

Let the harvest this year be all the more abundant, free flowing and graciously given. Let us offer ourselves as workers in God’s field, using our gifts our food, kindness, phone calls, texts, shopping, prayers and friendships. Whatever we are moved to do as a result of our love for God, may the fruit of our service, prayer and love have eternal consequences.

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