The Laborers Are Few
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Current data shows there are 8.8 million job openings in the United States, but only 6.3 million unemployed workers. We have a serious labor shortage, and it is easily apparent in the restaurant business. Some no longer offer dine-in service, those that do are usually short-staffed. Waits can be long and service slow. Jesus has a labor shortage too. That’s why He hung out a HELP WANTED sign long ago. Will we work for Him? Please read more.
Luke 19:2 states, “He said to them, “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
The harvest for souls is abundant. Today in our would there is a bumper crop. Jesus tells us in Luke’s Gospel that the Kingdom of God has too few laborers. This is really true today.
Jesus instituted His Church. His Church was meant to be an outgoing, missionary, evangelical Church. Workers are needed to spread His message. He wants you and me to work for Him.
While speaking of this labor shortage and the need for men and woman in the Church to fill the labor gap, Paul stated the following in Romans 10:13-15. “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!”
Friends, in the farming business, if crops are not brought in on time, they rot in the field. There are plenty of people out there in the world that are metaphorically “rotting” in the field of life. Too many individuals are hurting, troubled and struggling alone, and sadly many don’t have a relationship and knowledge of the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. There is an urgent need for Christians to harvest this crop. We never know when those around us will be called forth from this world. Crops must be harvested when ripe! We may be the person our Lord is calling to share His good news with. Perhaps it is with a specific person before they pass forth from this world. We must respond to Jesus’ HELP WANTED ad today before it is too late.
Permit me to share a couple real life stories.
I go to an infusion clinic every 6 weeks to receive treatment for my illness. About a year or so ago, I got into a conversation with one of the nurses who was providing care for me. She inquired about my ministry work. I told her that I minister to hurting and broken people. She was very interested.
The next time I came in I gave her a copy of my book, Blessed Broken and Scared. She told me she really enjoyed reading its message. A few months ago, she told me that she and her husband were happily expecting their second child. Her joy showed.
When I went to the clinic this past week, there was a notice to all of the patients that one week ago she suddenly and very unexpectedly passed away, and so did the child she was carrying. I believe she was around 40 years old. Her colleagues were devastated. All of her patients were too. She passed away in the prime of life.
The point I am trying to make here is this. I am so glad the Holy Spirit prompted me to engage her in a conversation about Jesus prior to her untimely death. I can only hope our conversation and my book helped her on her faith journey.
Let’s face it, all of us struggle to escape the bondage to sin. Almost all of us will be impacted by some form of tragedy. And of course, everyone must face death. Some people who are impacted by these things already know and love the Lord. Still, many currently don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is for this reason that Jesus hung out the help wanted sign.
I cannot explain just how happy I am knowing that through this ministry I have been granted the blessed opportunity to share my faith and love of Jesus Christ with so many people.
Allow me to share just one more story. I remember a man who came to one of my retreats a few years back and then died just a few days later. After his death, his wife called to tell me that her husband was a changed man after hearing the message of God’s saving mercy during my retreat. She told me they had been married for over 50 years and yet she was unsure where her husband stood with the Lord prior to his attending the retreat. She went on to tell me that based on his reaction to the retreat, and his newfound relationship with Jesus Christ, she had the comfort of knowing that her husband knew and loved Jesus before he died.
I am not trying to draw undue attention to me, I am simply trying to point out through both of those stories the urgent need for more workers in God’s fields. Many of you have your own stories to tell. What is clear is that we cannot wait. The time for harvest is now. Workers are needed in the field today!
Jesus has called us each by name to work in His field. Now, perhaps more than any other time in human history, the harvest is super bountiful. Each of us should ask ourselves this question: will I set out to work in the Masters field today, or will I allow His “crops” to rot in the fields. The lives of those we know and care about as well as the lives of those we encounter each day are at stake, as is the salvation of their souls. If we don’t share Jesus with them, who will?
Heavenly Father, Your Son has called me to work in His field. Give me the courage to say yes! Guide me to those most in need of the Good News. Help me to share the saving message of Jesus today! Amen!
AMDG
As always, I love to hear from you. You can email by clicking here. To share your thoughts with other readers, please use the comment section below.
Please take a couple minutes to watch the video about my new book. The book is available on this website and on Amazon.com. It is also NOW AVAILABLE IN SPANISH. Please be sure to like the video and to leave a review of the book on Amazon after you have read it. Thank you!
- Fishing In A Stocked Pond - April 28, 2024
- Following From A Distance - April 21, 2024
- Eclipsed By Darkness - April 14, 2024
Today’s Gospel applies here – Ask and you shall receive. I pray and ask for the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom and courage. Wisdom to know who to engage and what to say, and the courage to do it. Please, Lord. Thank you.
Beautiful message!❤️❤️