The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:37)
Do we really believe and trust what we say we believe and trust?
If so, then there should be no shortage of laborers for the harvest.
The heart of the gospel message of Jesus is that we have a God who comes near, who values and changes our lives toward God's purposes, who promises to never abandon us amidst our struggles, and who then invites us to heal, love, support, and care for others as God has first done for us.
This is a powerful message we have. This is a life-changing and life-giving message that we have. I simply hope that I am laboring for this message in the lives of others as fully as I could be.
I once heard the Christian speaker, Tony Campolo speak at a national men's conference. He said that Lutherans had (his words) "the best theology." He then said, "It is a shame you don't know how to sell it." This indicts us, but it also challenges us to grow.
The message of Jesus says that no shame, no sin, no struggle, and no difficulty defines us. We are free to live as righteous people simply because Christ has claimed us as His own. Therefore, our "good news" to those around us is that we have been given a freedom to love others and live in peace with each other because we are not bound to seeing each other as rivals or enemies. Instead, we can see each other as brothers and sisters.
My prayer is that we can so internalize this good news message of Jesus that our default reality will be one of sharing how beautiful it is to live in the promise of God's grace. It is freeing. It is life-giving. It is the best and most fully hopeful way to be human.
Don't you think this is something worth sharing?
Lord of the harvest, may we find the strength and faith to live and share the good news. Amen.
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