Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director LHBC

Matthew 9:37-38 (NLT)
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”  

Have you ever felt ineffective after sharing your faith with others?  Have your words ever been rejected or appeared to fall on deaf ears? Has your witness to others seemed fruitless at times? Be encouraged today, your words and actions are meaningful steps in ripening hearts for Jesus.  Conversations, actions, encouragement…they matter.    

In a world focused on efficiency and end results, it can be hard to remember value in the process of a changing heart.  At any given point in our witness, we only see a piece of that process. We can’t hurry up a heart any more than a farmer can hurry up a harvest.      

The Lord is in charge of the harvest, not us. However, this is not our pass to sit back and watch, but a reminder to keep a posture of attentiveness and readiness to plant and water seeds of God’s love and His Word. Throughout his ministry, Jesus had compassion on those around him. The crowds that swarmed him were described as “confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:35-36).  They were lost. Jesus is the Shepherd and calls every heart to follow him. Believers, we are Christ’s body today, and Jesus calls us as His workers to tend His fields and sheep.

Note that the word “fields” is plural.  On any given day, God calls us into many mission fields and equips us in a unique way.  Much like farming requires different kinds of tools and equipment, we each have talents, abilities, and a unique personality that are important tools for cultivation.  As someone who is reserved and shy at times, I know first-hand how hard it can be to push out of that comfort zone and share my faith with others or boldly turn a conversation towards Christ.  Be encouraged today, whether you are shy or outgoing, God has called every personality to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). You have a valued place on the mission field!

1 Corinthians 3:5-9 holds such encouragement for all of us. Paul describes Apollos and himself in this passage as servants doing the work the Lord gave them in God’s field.  6I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.” This is the process we get to be a part of when we live life on mission and act on the urges of the Holy Spirit to go, do, and say.  

The need for workers is great.  Jesus reminded his disciples to pray and ask the Lord to send more workers into his fields (Matthew 9:38).  It is so encouraging that we can pray for even more workers to come into a person’s life.  Who do you know that needs that prayer today?   What seed will you plant or water today?

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit today that I may hear your call for workers and act on your urges to reach others.  Give me boldness. Help me speak Your Truth with clarity and act with Your love and encouragement in all I do today. I pray that you will send more workers into (fill in the blank) __________’s life today that will cultivate their heart and lead them to you.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Jeremiah 10:6
There is none like you, O Lord ; you are great, and your name is great in might.