Calling all Servants

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:35-38, ESV).  

Throughout the years I have always helped with Kids Church or Sunday School.  For the past twenty plus years of my Christian walk, what I have noticed is that is usually the same few servants serving year after year.  As the years go by, there’s a new person that steps up and then they like many other servants begin trying to fill every need that arises.  Please realize it’s not just in kids ministry.  Often God is calling people to move on to another area of ministry than the one they are in, but because of there is no one to take their place they stay.  The result - burnout!  Many of my fellow servants know exactly what I mean.  

Currently this is exactly what we are experiencing, the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.  As our church has grown and now branched out into three locations, we are in need of workers throughout our current ministries, starting with nursery workers all the way up.

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  That’s what Jesus told His disciples. However, He didn’t blindly send them to work.  The work was for a harvest.  The harvest was the people that Jesus had compassion for because they were harassed and helpless, like a sheep without a shepherd.  Jesus gave the disciples a purpose, a purpose that was greater than themselves - compassion for others!  

At this point, they had spent some time with Jesus as He went throughout teaching and healing.  However, the disciples were still in the early stages of following Him.  I think it’s safe to say they were still bordering clueless on Jesus’ mission until now, hence the fact they still didn’t understand it at the last supper.  Nonetheless, He called his twelve and sent them out.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Matthew 10:5-7, ESV).  

When Jesus commissioned them to go out it was for a greater cause, the Kingdom of Heaven at hand.  Not only did Jesus give them a purpose greater than themselves and others, but an eternal purpose!  

Just like the disciples, God uses us before we got it all together, good thing or else we’d all be disqualified.  Sometimes I think we can get so hung up in our “little worlds.”  We get caught up in our daily living, our plans and agendas.  Juggling busy schedules of work, family, and friends.  Even our personal devastation (hurts, grief, etc).  We can be so entangled with our own stuff, we lose sight of having a purpose in life.  I know this well, I’ve been there!  But I will also tell you, that when people have a hope, a feeling of purpose in their lives, it in return is very healthy and healing to the soul!  After all, that was God’s plan for His people.  

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV).  

Let's be realistic, we don’t just place anyone anywhere. If we did it would end in failure.  We know God calls us individually according to the gifts given.  In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul informs the pagan converts about the variety of gifts given by the Holy Spirit.  The church, the body of Christ, will function properly when everyone is working in their area of gifts and fully operating in love.  Without love we gain nothing! (1 Corinthians 13:3)

Jesus said, therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest; so let us pray earnestly:   

Lord, we thank You for the harvest You have put before us.  We pray now for the laborers You are calling out.  There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;  and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;  and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers all.  Lord we pray You would lay Your mighty hand upon those You have called and fan into flame the gift You haven given, You did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.  May we never be ashamed, but know You saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of Your own purpose and grace, which You gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.  In Jesus Name, Amen.