Orange acres of pumpkin patches, scarecrow-guarded cornfields, and fresh apple cider already remind us of summer’s end, and fall’s welcome beginning. While some may miss the warm, sunny weather and homework-free days, harvest time stands as a reminder of a crucial virtue in the Christian’s life: that of perseverance.

In Galatians 6:7-8, Paul admonishes, “…for whatever one sows, that he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Regardless of what we sow, we must count on reaping a harvest, good or bad.

So here, one does not decide whether to sow but what to sow. The above scripture clearly states if one sows in the flesh, his harvest includes not just more fleshly desire but an accompanying corruption. To the individual who sows in the spirit, however, the harvest yields eternal life.

Verse nine of this chapter holds encouragement and promise: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Emphasis added)” Picture the miles of cornfields in the farmlands of Skagit Valley. Imagine these as your own harvest – each stalk of corn represents an additional hour of homework, a day’s worth of volunteer work at the local food bank, or even an hour spent pursuing God. Each of these actions comes with perseverance – one must exert the effort for the action to truly count, and for the harvest to prove most bountiful.

For the students at Hill Creek, teachers demand nothing less than sowing diligence. The reward lies in strong resumes and transcripts that bring in scholarships to dream colleges. Other rewards lie in the networks and relationships built between each other and the community. Most importantly, however, the rewards lies in the imperishable, eternal blessing we bestow on our Heavenly Father with our diligent work.

That said, we at The Beacon encourage all of you this year to sow nothing but diligence, determination, and especially joy into the upcoming work God and our teachers set before you. Most importantly, however, look forward to the harvest awaiting you at the end of the school year – and do not give up!