Months ago, there was a field near our home showing fresh green growth. I watched those plants become very tall corn stalks. Now the stalks are still standing, brown and ready for harvest.

Not every season is a harvest season.

There are seasons for planting, seasons for watering, seasons for waiting, and seasons for gathering. The same is true in life and ministry.

Sometimes we serve faithfully and see immediate results. Other times, we pray, encourage, teach, love, and invest in people without seeing much change at all. Not seeing results can be hard.

That does not mean nothing is happening.

Paul wrote:

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”
— 1 Corinthians 3:6 (ESV)

Our responsibility is not to force the harvest. It is to be faithful in the season God has placed us in.

If this is a season of planting, plant well.
If it is a season of watering, keep watering.
If it is a season of waiting, keep trusting.
And when harvest comes, give God the credit.

Not every season is a harvest season, but every temporary season can be a faithful one.

– David Beauchamp
Temporary Ministries