36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Mathew 9:36-38 ESV
Jesus was in deep and constant connection with the Father. Jesus offered compassion, it seemed, in every direction. People were astonished. People were in disbelief. God came to reveal Himself…..and people were in disarray. They discarded one another and God’s statutes for their own gains. Sounds familiar? Then, Jesus, after a “healing rampage”, sees more folks in need of His touch and looks to His disciples….He tells them about fruits of ministry. He tells them what they can see in front of them and how what they see will continue. There is more, he says, there is a greater need always and this need is for laborers. Workers. People, to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Jesus tells his followers to pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest….that God would send people out INTO HIS HARVEST!
This is my prayer, today, Lord. Send workers. Send people to labor in your name….
We are in need. The harvest is here. It is much. Send us laborers.
Trust in God. He is faithful. He is just.
Recently, our family ran out of money for our monthly budget. We were out of cash and had eaten our pantry dry, essentially. We were trying to be as creative as possible but the food and money was basically gone! I told Olivia that “God will have to provide…He said He would!”
Later that day, we received a message and a phone call from some of God’s people who were bringing “perishable goods” to our front porch. They knocked and drove away…leaving behind bags of groceries. It was in response to our family’s health as one of our boys had been sick…they had no way of knowing our money situation. No way. They felt the promptings of God’s Spirit to bless the Ogles. I have a friend who says, “God showed up and He showed out!” Yes, He sure did. We looked in the bags as our boys were going to bed….and wept. He had provided – He said he would! The following day, I received another phone call from one of my heroes in life. My dad wanted to meet me – He,too, had felt the prompting of God. The Lord gave money for us to get to the end of the month. The next day – the Lord provided for Young Life in our area to sustain itself through the end of the month (something that was predicted to be a deficit-prone scenario where we would be headed toward reduced salary).
Is God real? Do bad things happen to good people? Does God have a plan…is there redemption of those “bad” things? Do God’s people remain in connection with His Spirit? Is the body of Christ essentially God…with skin on, in today’s world – representing the Lord Jesus? Does God show up? Does He really care?
What about me? What about them?
Jesus. Is. Love.
I pray that the Lord will continue to provide workers for His harvest. There is much need. There is much hope.
I belong to the Lord. He is good.
Blessings,
-ao
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