Labor On

In the harvest field there is work to do,
For the grain is ripe, and the reapers few;
And the Master's voice bids the workers true
Heed the call that He gives today.

Crowd the garner well with its sheaves all bright,
Let the song be glad, and the heart be light,
Fill the precious hours ere the shades of night
Take the place of the golden day. [Refrain]

In the gleaner's path may be rich reward,
Tho' the time seems long, and the labor hard;
For the Master's joy, with His chosen shared,
Drives the gloom from the darkest day. [Refrain]

Lo! the Harvest Home in the realms above
Shall be gained by each who has toiled and strove,
When the Master's voice, in His words of love,
Calls away to eternal day. [Refrain]

Refrain
Labor on, labor on,
Keep the bright reward in view,
For the Master has said
He will strength renew;
Labor on till the close of day.

C. R. Blackall, 1870
Read john 4:35-38

We no longer live in an agrarian society, but even on a small family farm, harvest time means all hands on deck. It is the highest priority and work continues as long as there is daylight. The evening meal is often postponed so the work can continue. There is a narrow window of time to accomplish the work. Now two thousand years removed from Jesus's words, we've lost the sense of urgency. Pray we recover that sense of immediacy and purpose.