Tuesday, March 6, 2012

The Harvest Is Great

He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields.” -- Matthew 9:37-38

A man admits his frustration. He pastors a small, rural church and has for several years. While the attendance has grown, the congregation can still only afford a part-time pastor. So this preacher must work a regular job in addition to his pastoral duties.

He longs for the day when he can minister to his flock and others fulltime. He doesn’t understand why God won’t provide a way. He’s tried leaving before and making do with part-time jobs. The financial stress was just too great. The only way to help his three children get through high school and college was a regular job with a regular paycheck. So back he went.

He doesn’t see the harvest right before him. Or, maybe he does but wants something different. Something that looks better. Someone who is actively seeking rather than a bunch of broken people who desperately need a Savior they don’t know.

I see it so clearly. I suppose it’s easy to see what someone else is missing even while you blindly overlook what you are missing in your own life. I wonder if he is so busy just surviving that he no longer makes time to hear what God has to say? I’ve done that at times.

I look around and see a woman in an abusive marriage. There’s a young mother, pregnant with her second child, and still unmarried. Her mother is sick. Her mother’s boyfriend was just arrested for driving drunk and killing his own brother. Then there’s the worker who went to lunch one day and died in an accident. His grief-stricken co-workers are still struggling to make sense of something that no one can understand. And that’s just the surface things.

Why is this pastor still where he doesn’t want to be? Because this place he’d rather not be desperately needs Jesus. The workers need His hope and His love, His comfort and His strength. They are hurting and crying out for help.

And, yes, for those who are wondering what I’m doing, I do talk with them when I can. I don’t see them often but I reach out. Anyone would. Smiles and laughter can only cover so much pain before it spills out infecting everyone with anger and bitterness.

Jesus told us the harvest is great. Look around. It’s everywhere. Pray for more workers to tend the souls of those who are lost. Pray for strength and wisdom to work the harvest that grows right where you are.