Harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few!

Have you observed vast fields of golden wheat ready to be harvested? It’s indeed worthy for the eyes to behold. In this season, it is quite common to see a lot of produce ripe and ready to be harvested in plenty. But have you thought of the state of these fields when the laborers to work on these fields are very less? The harvest from these beautiful, boundless fields which would have benefited millions, would soon turn into a pile of garbage that rots and produces a stench without doing any good to anyone.

Jesus too sees the harvest in the world and he saw the people aching, helpless, hopeless, aimless and in need of a Savior. In Matt 9:35-38: 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. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” 

Jesus also sensed the real problem behind it all being the laborers are few, which is the same problem that one is facing even after 2000 years. The situation hasn’t improved much and hasn’t seen any ray of hope. Especially in this time of pandemic, those not knowing the love of God and those who haven’t yet experienced the peace that God has lavished on us, are living in a state of hopelessness.  They are traversing a path that is dark, without seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. They do not know how they can face the uncertainties of tomorrow, or the problems of today. Although the one who knows God also might have to tread the same path, the child of God knows that her heavenly father hasn’t left her side and is there to protect her and comfort her as in Psalms 23: 4 “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me”

There is no dearth of employment in God’s harvest field. God’s harvest field is longing to see more laborers to take the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ to the millions in desperate need of a Savior. If we don’t go into the fields to harvest, how can these souls hear about this wonderful gift of salvation and hope, and believe ?

As mentioned in Romans 10:14-15 “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””

Isaiah 52:7 reiterates the need of a generation being raised to bring good news and good tidings to those who live in darkness and haven’t seen The Light of the world. 

“How beautiful on the mountains

are the feet of those who bring good news,

who proclaim peace,

who bring good tidings,

who proclaim salvation,

who say to Zion,

“Your God reigns!””

One might think that this calling is only for great preachers and missionaries of this world and that others can easily slip away from taking up this responsibility. But let me urge you, the world needs more ordinary people like us who can demonstrate the love of God through words, actions and all ways of life. Remember, it was a widow’s offering of two small copper coins that really shook the temple treasury. 

Mark 12: 43-44 says “Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.””

You may not possess all the characteristics to share this salvation to a perishing generation, but if you use the ability that God has given you, it will shake heaven! If you employ your skills, gifts and strength for God’s mission field, He will never let you down. You will reap its harvest and blessings at this time and in the age to come.

Even though one could support God’s ministry by tithing on your income,  can you utilize a portion of your time, energy and capabilities for God? We spend long hours on dispensable things, but we become stingy on the time we spend with God -- hearing and reading God’s word, or even praying for the workers toiling endlessly in God’s mission field. 

This is a wakeup call for each of us, to reassess our priorities and realize the great responsibility God has placed within each of us. Can we also respond to God’s calling in a manner similar to how Isaiah responded in Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” “

Together, let’s reap the harvest!

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