Examining Scripture:
“Be not overcome of evil,
but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21
Evaluating Soil:
It is my prayer that everyone has been having a pleasant, peaceful, and happy holiday season. As we wrap up another three hundred and sixty-five days, and our look at Romans 12, let’s consider this year’s harvest.
Did we reap good or evil fruit from our life’s garden? Were we left feeling overcome with evil or did we see good overcome the evil we faced?
Was our harvest filled with kind or hurtful responses and reactions to our good or bad behaviors? Did we exhibit or experience evil intentions or interaction or cause undue harm with our words or actions? Did our efforts yield good results.
As we close out our end-of-the-year celebrations, it’s a great time to take stock of the fruit we reaped from our year-long efforts. Where do we stand as we prepare for next year’s harvest?
Experiencing Seasons:
In some areas of my life I felt fruitful this year. In others, I felt failures. There were big goals reached and hard things handled or accomplished. There were relationships mended, and others strained. At times, I felt weary, but when I saw God’s goodness in unexpected ways, my strength was renewed and I remembered one of my favorite verses:
“I had fainted, unless I had believed
to see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
God has made it clear in every situation I’ve faced that His goodness can overcome evil.
Embracing Solace:
We may overwhelm others with our wrongs or become overwhelmed by the evil around us. If we are wronged, God will comfort us. If we do evil, He will correct us. He loves us that much.
Enjoying Simplicity:
We cannot stop the evil in this world but we can take comfort in God’s goodness. Good keeps us from being overcome by evil and the complications it levies against us. Good gives life a fresh simplicity.
Employing Solutions:
Some years our harvest will be hindered by difficulties and pestilences. Bad things will threaten a healthy crop. People and problems can hinder productivity. Even we prevent our fruitfulness.
No matter how bad or good this year has gone, with God’s help, next year can improve and produce a better harvest. It’s imperative to consider what crop God wants us to reap and how to make that happen.
We could start by asking ourselves a few questions:
- Does our soil need to be turned over and fertilized?
- Do we need to sharpen our spiritual tools?
- Is there evil that needs weeded out of our hearts, homes, and habits?
- Are there ways to make our gardens more fruitful?
The answer to each question is, “Yes.” Every gardener knows that, in order to have a good harvest, preparation in winter is a must.
Let’s plan for fruitful gardens next year. Let’s keep working to overcome the evil in this world. Let’s produce Biblical and beneficial good that can help others who are also struggling to see God’s goodness in the “land of the living.”
As God continues to help us grow in our faith, may we find the solace, simplicity, and solutions for our hearts and homes in the New Year. And, may we reap a good harvest to share with others as we serve our Creator and build our nests in His beautiful Creation.
Bring It Home
What harvest of good would you like to reap in the New Year?
Praying for you as we grow together,
Smiles, BRC
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