Many of the things that we do in life are the direct result of circumstance, meaning that we find ourselves in a certain circumstance and then we react. We become associated with people by circumstance. We make friends by circumstance. We even meet our spouses, usually, by circumstance. There is nothing wrong with using circumstances to bring about good in our lives and the lives of others and I believe that we can even see that many the activities of Jesus were direct results of circumstance. It cannot be the case, though, that we become completely dependent upon circumstance for things to be accomplished in our lives, because to do so would often result in sore disappointment. Some things must be done out of vision or purpose. We must have the foresight to take initiative at times and control the circumstances in our lives. Solomon spoke of that very vision and purpose: “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame. Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot” (Proverbs 10:5-7). If we are going to be the wise sons of which Solomon spoke, we must step out in faith to do the work of the Lord, gathering in the summertime, and seizing opportunity rather than always leaving things to chance. What, though, is so wise about having the foresight to grab life by the horns and make things happen rather than waiting for them to?
First, notice the principle of gathering in the summertime. This principle is directly related to seizing opportunity. The farmer carefully watches his crops, and when the time is just right, he harvests. What if he were to wait for the crops to harvest themselves? He would wait too long and the harvest would be lost. We must be watchful in our work as Christians, and when opportunities arise, we must not rely merely upon certain circumstances but we must act. Jesus stated a similar point when on one occasion He wanted to emphasize the immediate need Christianity can provide: “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” To His apostles Christ emphasized the urgency of our evangelistic responsibility. An urgency that demands initiative and not passivity. We must be bold in our pursuit of souls and proclamation of the gospel of Jesus. Such is demanded by the principle of gathering in the summertime.
Second, think about the purpose of gathering in the summertime. Why must we always be in a state of preparation to take advantage of the opportunities that arise? Because those open doors are not always present and even then they are they can often shut. There are various things that can and do happen in life that can minimize our chances to gather in the summertime: decreased physical abilities, severed friendships, lost jobs, change in residence, etc. It is absolutely true that today is always the best day to seize opportunity because we never know what variable can alter and take away those opportunities tomorrow. “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:1-4). Jesus understood that His time and opportunities were limited because He would shortly die, therefore He used every second available to do His work. He knew the purpose of gathering in the summertime.
Then, realize the promise of gathering in the summertime. In Solomon’s statement of Proverbs 10 there are a series of profitable statements made regarding the person who gathers in the summer: he is a wise son (vs. 5); blessings are on the head of the just (vs. 6); the memory of the just is blessed (vs. 7). All of these statements point to a glorious promise that awaits the true servant of God who makes sure to gather in the summertime. “Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse shall have poverty enough. A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent” (Proverbs 28:18-20). This comparison and contrast between the ardent worker and the absent worker make the promise of gathering in the summertime very clear. And these blessings of God will be granted to those who accept in obedience God’s promise of gathering in the summertime.
Are we proven to be wise, just, and blessed as prudent servants of our God? If so, we will seize opportunity, overcome mere circumstance, and commit ourselves to gather in the summertime.
-Andy Brewer
