What does Harvest mean to you?

Justin Reeves reflects on reconnecting with Harvest.

I have something of a love-hate relationship with Harvest. I have fond memories of Harvest festivals from childhood. The beautifully decorated Army hall. The mercy seat laden with food and flowers. Celebrations led by invited guests adding to the sense of occasion. Processing into the hall carrying baskets of groceries. There were even kids who rode in on toy tractors!

But then there were tramps suppers – what were we thinking! And songs that I didn’t connect with – I’ve never brought in any sheaves, ploughed a field, or scattered seed on land, good or bad.

To say I hate Harvest is an exaggeration. The reality is, I feel disconnected. Of course I’m truly grateful for all I’ve received from God. However, so much of the celebration seems to be metaphorically or literally grounded in working the land. I’m not a farmer or even a keen gardener.

I have farming friends, so I’ve witnessed the hard graft that goes into sowing, growing and harvesting and the anxiety over the effect of climate change and weather on yield. But for me, and I suspect for others, there’s still a disconnect.

So what does Harvest mean to me? What is my harvest? In crude terms I reap what I sow towards the end of each month when my salary hits my bank account. And I suppose each time I part company with some of my hard-earned cash for a treat, I enjoy the fruits of my labour – a mini harvest of sorts.

My wife and I have begun to change where and how we spend our money. We consider the things we consume, where they come from and the effect their production has on the world. We’re moving towards making more sustainable choices. We encourage our children to enjoy and appreciate nature.

We talk about where our food comes from, what needs to happen for crops to grow, and being grateful for rainy days as well as fun in the sun. When we eat together, we say grace as a reminder that food doesn’t magically appear on our plates. And at bedtime we share thank you prayers – a harvest of grateful hearts?

Just as it’s often suggested that life is worship, I wonder if life is harvest. Wherever we work – an office, at home, a classroom, a building site, a hospital, a factory, a farm – we’re sowing seeds. As we go about our toil, we give and we receive. When we interact with others, are we representing God well? Are we demonstrating Jesus to others? Will our attitudes and actions help to bear fruit? Are we growing the Kingdom?

I think that’s what Harvest needs to be to me. A Kingdom-living attitude of gratitude that demonstrates and encourages some sort of personal and communal growth. What does your Harvest look like?

Pause and reflect

• Check out this year’s Harvest material.
• How are you seeing and experiencing Kingdom growth where you are?
• Read Mark 12:41–44. Consider what small thing you could give or do to help the Kingdom grow.
• What holy habits could you cultivate to grow your relationship with God?