Labour!

Labour!

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matthew 9:37‭-‬38 KJV

In just this chapter 9 of Matthew, the read of the miracle of healing for the man with the palsy, the daughter of a certain ruler, the woman with the issue of blood, the dumb man, and 2 blind men. This was the purpose behind his coming into the world. This was his own labour, in his own words: I must do the works of him that sent me, while it is yet day. Even for Jesus, he fully understood the place of time, resources and effort in fulfilling purpose. That same chapter 9 has these words: And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Jesus had it all figured out, yet there was a burden for the people of the earth that he had made.

Even though Jesus clearly knew what he was sent to the world to do, he needs the support of others who have also come to share in his burden for creation. He saw the crowd, and was moved with compassion for them, because they seemed without divine direction or purpose. That is how a life without Jesus looks like; you can have all your ducks in a row, and every plan of yours is succeeding, but if all you have in your hands are only the things the world gives you, then you hold nothing of real value then. It is only those who have given their lives to Christ who know the limits of this earth and what lies close to God's heart: he wants the whole earth to know him. 

There is a rich harvest of souls waiting for the right kind of knowledge. I see the word harvest, and it seems that God already sees the end from the now. The harvest is already waiting to be brought in, which means that the seed had been planted a long time ago. You do not prepare for a harvest without first putting in the work of ploughing, tilling, planting, watering and weeding. As I audit my own life right now, what part of the preparation for harvest am I involved in? Am I content with the regular daily grind of ordinary life, or am I seeking to establish God's kingdom even as I go on with my daily life? 

God is the Lord of the harvest; the owner of the harvest; the word Lord refers to total authority and unquestionable power. That is why he is the One who is qualified to send labourers into that which he already owns and controls. The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof. 

I can't send myself, or determine by myself where I think I can be effective; that is God's prerogative. He is seeking to send labourers, not bosses. He is looking for workers, not supervisors who would not do the work but will find someone else to blame for the work not being done. The work could be supervision, but it will require applying myself to the task I have been given, no matter what name the work is called. 

Labourers are few; those who will do the work required are few. We love labels, but label is not labour; you have to do the work. There are a lot of people who claim allegiance to Christ, but how many of these people can God commit the labour of harvest into their hands? If God sends me, I must do the work the way He wants it done; after all, it is his harvest, and the terms of employment are defined by him. 

Jesus asked the disciples to pray that the Lord will send labourers into his harvest. Souls of men are waiting to be harvested. Lives are waiting to be impacted by the Word of God. Men are hungry for that which will satisfy the deep cravings of their hearts, which no activity, person or society can fill. Can God count me as a worthy labourer that he can use? Forget the name it is called; it is first about surrender, then service. May the Lord find me a worthy labourer. God's time of favour is here.