It’s been a beautiful autumn across Tennessee. We’ve had an abundance of blue skies and the leaves have been a brilliant tapestry of orange, yellow and red.

I’ve especially enjoyed watching the farmers take their annual yields from their fields this year. Because of some new job responsibilities, I’ve had the opportunity to visit many producers and farms from Memphis to the Virginia border. It’s been a good reminder of how hard our farmers work all year round. Planting. Cultivating. Reaping. Stewarding.

The Bible speaks often about farming as a profession or in parables. It shows the importance of our stewardship of the land and those that work hard to feed and clothe us.

It often uses harvest time as an analogy. An activity just as important centuries ago as it is today. Most notably, harvest is used as an illustration of the work that we have as followers of Jesus.

It’s a reminder of the souls around us that need to hear about Jesus.

“And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'” Luke 10:2

“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest?’ Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” John 4:35

It’s also a reminder of the work and actions of our own hearts.

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8

How are we pouring into the hearts of those around us? How are we cultivating our very own hearts?

Please pray for me to be looking for ways to share the love of Jesus in my home, at work and in the Knoxville community. And also pray for me to pull the own weeds and thorns from my heart so that I can purely accept and reflect the love that Jesus has shown to me.

And please let me know how I may pray for you. God bless you!