Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
-Matthew 9:35-38
Traveling through the country this autumn across the Conference, crops are coming off the fields and being stored in granaries and elevators. The size of the equipment is astounding, the trucks and combines amaze me. The number of acres one person can harvest is nothing short of mind boggling. When I was pastoring in my first church I farmed a quarter section and it took me days to plant and harvest. Now a quarter section is planted and harvested in half a morning.
There is one harvest that still takes time, and no amount of equipment or economy of scale will make a difference, that is the harvest of souls. Jesus looked and saw the need and we do too. There is a world harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Every day we meet people without hope and without purpose waiting for someone, anyone, who knows a better way.
This is the season to enter the fields. Pray for those who are in your life that do not know the joy of God’s salvation. Write that note, send that email, jot a text letting the ones God placed on your heart know of your love for them and the hope you have in Jesus our Savior.
Take time and tell your faith story over a cup of coffee or a meal. Invite the one that God placed on your heart to receive the Lord’s forgiveness and start a new life. We are the answer to Jesus’ prayer, the harvest is plentiful and the harvest is great. Enter his fields and the heavens will rejoice! Happy harvesting!
