IT'S A PROCESS

This month, we have spent time reflecting on the scripture, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to SEND OUT laborers into HIS harvest.” Matthew 9:37

In our modern world, we often think of the harvest in terms of efficiency and technology—like the combine harvesters that glide through golden fields, gathering wheat with remarkable speed. These machines are advanced, making the process of harvest fast and seamless. However, if we take a step back, we delve deeper into the heart of what it means to reap a harvest, we find that the truth is rooted in age-old traditions of community, dedication, and hard work.

In biblical times, harvesting wheat was a labor-intensive process. It required the hands of MANY, working together under the sun, tirelessly cutting, gathering, and threshing the grain. This communal effort was not just about the physical act of harvesting; it was about relationships, shared responsibilities, and the joy of working towards a common goal. In many ways, the spiritual harvest we seek today looks more like the old ways than the fast-paced, industrialized process of the combine harvester.

While we may envision the harvest of souls as a quick and easy endeavor—the reality is that it still demands time, faithfulness, effort, and the unity of the body of Christ. The fields are indeed ripe, and the call to action is urgent, but we must remember that the work of the Lord requires us to come together as a community of believers. Each of us has a role to play, and it is through our collective efforts that we can truly make an impact.

This is why we continually pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers into His fields. The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. It is a call to action for each of us—to increase our labor force, to encourage one another, and to engage in the mission of spreading the gospel. Just as the farmers of old relied on their neighbors to help bring in the harvest, we too must lean on one another, sharing our strengths and supporting each other in our journey of knowing Jesus and making Him known.

Let us commit to being those laborers, working side by side, praying for strength, and trusting in God's provision–shoulder to shoulder, in the dirt, and around the table.