There are all kinds of seasons in our lives and in the corporate life of our church family. As a spiritual family, sometimes we see a season in which dear ones we love are called home to heaven. Sometimes in church life we see a season of plowing or planting. There are also times in our lives where we are hurting or fatigued by work and Emmanuel has become a wonderful place for people to experience healing and spiritual rejuvenation. BUT sometimes—and this season may be the most rare—we get to experience a season of harvest.
2020 has been a year where recognizing the harvest is a little more difficult because of things like social distancing and shelter in place. But there has been much sowing, planting and harvesting even as we’ve seen the dynamic of church life change. Because the church isn’t the building we go to, we are not constrained by such limitations. YOU–those in Christ–are the church. Our people have been hard at work right where they are for months, touching lives, meeting needs and providing love and encouragement. The generosity of the Emmanuel family continues to astound me on so many levels. We’ve given out dozens of food boxes and distributed food to other ministries to help them reach their people. A group of ladies have been busy for months sewing masks and we’ve given away over 1,500 masks to individuals in the community as well as clinics and hospitals. There are also those serving more quietly, rarely recognized or known, but serving Jesus out of an overflow of love and gratitude from their hearts.
I don’t believe that the harvest comes without plowing, planting, watering, and working. In the spiritual realm it means praying, sharing, loving and giving. I want this season of harvest to continue. I think you do, too. Join me in praying that God will continue to use Emmanuel. Join me in sharing and loving. Reach out to those whom God has laid on your heart. Join me in giving…giving our gifts and talents…giving love…giving encouragement…giving hope…giving comfort…giving our tithes and offerings…because when we are faithful, God is waiting to send the harvest!
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 (esv)