“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” John 4:34-35
There are many people who bring back home items after spending time in Haiti; paintings, keychains, flags, hats, jewelry and rum…I was never one for bringing home more ‘stuff’ but rather just brought back memories. Keith Logan returned from Haiti a few months ago and sent me a tin sign that had been made by a local artisan in Port-au-Prince and it read “Ain’t God Good!” which was a saying that John Hall used quite frequently. I really like that sign and hung it over the door that leads to my deck so that I am reminded of John whenever I go out to have morning coffee, eat lunch, dinner, BBQ or just to sit outside and read; it is a wonderful way to remember the times that John and I spent together. And this memory also ties in with the scripture reading for today that reminds us of the work to be accomplished before our work is completed here on earth; the fields are ripe for harvest. John Hall’s work with Trinity/HOPE began years ago and was completed for him last year and is still ongoing for those of us still working in the field. Please prayerfully consider joining us in this mission field. I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘Saints of God, the Dawn is Brightening’ that were written by Mary Maxwell in 1849.
“Saints of God, the dawn is bright'ning, token of our coming Lord; o'er the earth the field is whit'ning; louder rings the Master's word: pray for reapers, pray for reapers, in the harvest of the Lord! Now, O Lord, fulfil Thy pleasure, breathe upon Thy chosen band, and with Pentecostal measure send forth reapers o'er our land, faithful reapers, faithful reapers, gath'ring sheaves for Thy right hand. Soon shall end the time of weeping, soon the reaping time will come, Heav'n and earth together keeping God's eternal Harvest-home. Saints and angels, saints and angels, shout the world's great Harvest-home.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay