Friday, Week Three of Lent by Lauren Greenwade
John 4:35-42
Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest’? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”
Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”
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Both sowing and reaping are necessary to win souls. Yet, the two are not always done by the same person(s). We may reap where other have sown. Just like the case in Samaria where Jesus said: “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors” – John 4:38.
Recently, I was very fortunate to sit in a centering prayer national day of prayer at Seminary of the Southwest. While there, I was able to experience God in action. By watching people, who all are craving to have a closer and deeper relationship with God, engaging with each other. Most people were strangers to each other and yet the exchange of LOVE was contagious. Others labored to provide us a beautiful venue for this peaceful day of centering prayer. Others labored to create presentations. Others labored to lead us in Lectio Divina. This was a wonderful day of sowing and reaping and all for the glory of God.
My prayer is may we all continue to sow and reap; and make sure we always appreciate all the efforts of others sowing. God bless us all!
Please practice kindness, Lauren Greenwade