We Are The Harvesters, And The Harvest

Matthew 9:38. “Therefore, pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Where would our schools be without teachers? How would our cars run without auto shops? Imagine how life would be if you had to go to a central location every day to get your mail? What if we lived in a world where there was no one to help with computer problems?

So much of our lives depend on those who are regularly and readily available to provide leadership or service on a regular basis and at times when we need them.

Jesus Christ came and said we were all to be among them. He said to His disciples that a few well-trained people couldn’t carry the whole load, even if they were trained (as the disciples were) by Jesus Christ Himself!

Instead, he taught his disciples that a world full of people was in need of laborers from generation to generation, ready to serve, assist, help, fix, lead and care for the people of the planet, starting with the ones next to us.

Do you think of yourself that way? Do I? If we’re not stepping up to serve, then why should be surprised that people trust their car dealer more than Christians, or their computer fix-it guy more than a pastor, at least when it comes to the most important issues in their lives?

Jesus said that “His harvest” needs laborers. That’s you and me. There’s harvestable crops in our neighborhood, our family, our place of work and our city. There are more crops across our state, our country and the world. God is able to touch individual lives, marriages and families. He’s ready to transform neighborhoods, schools and workplace cultures. He does the work! The crops just need harvesters who will go.

If we’re not “go-ing,” then now is the time. If we’re not ready or willing, we can at least pray for the needs we’re aware of around us. And we can even just pray for God to give us more of a willingness to go. Or we can pray for the ability or availability to go. Be careful, though! It’s hard to pray without getting more of God’s heart. Perhaps that’s why Jesus told the disciples to pray, even before He told them to go!

A Prayer for Leaders: “Lord, please help me re-envision the people and environments I’m regularly a part of as Your harvest. And help me to see myself as a laborer, ready to fulfill Your call and when I reach my limit, to pray that you’ll provide others. Please help my places of work, home, play, and community become different as I choose that perspective today. Amen.”