Harvest - Plentiful; Workers - Few --> A Message That Probes for Compassion Before Action

When you see a commercial that is trying to get you to "sponsor a child" you don't simply have 30 seconds of "here's how to order" type of a message. You will first see a child that looks downtrodden and then maybe a few that are looking hungry or sickly. These are all ways to cause you to be moved with compassion in order to invest some of your money in helping this cause.

I am not trying to cause you to not sponsor a child, but rather have you realize that compassion is what moves us toward action. We would not likely give any time to the cause if we didn't see the need for it. In this case the need affects our emotions greatly.

Sunday we looked at a section in Matthew 9:35-38 where Jesus challenges His disciples into looking at the world of opportunity to do good for God. There is a plentiful harvest, but only a few will decide to invest their life in the cause.

As we reflect back, here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Harvest ~ There are tons and tons of possibilities out there for us to see. When I look out into the fields of the plains, I am amazed at how God blesses that field with abundance. I have no idea how much a field will produce, kind of like I have no idea how much of produce will be found in mys service to Him. However, to harvest is one way to find out. "Look" as Jesus said to what is out there - keep your eyes open to the possibilities!
• Plentiful ~ Sometimes making a list of the possibilities of people in your life will open your eyes to the "plenty" that is available. Occasionally, it will be those you know, but then there are people you do not know (that well). Don't become comfortable just with people you do know, but edge out to the places and people you do not know and see what God will do with that move.
• Workers ~ "I want to be a worker for the Lord" is a portion of a song that I have sung throughout my life. I first looked at it as a dutiful kind of work, but now, I am excited to be one of God's workers. I hope you are excited as well! I hope you "want" to work for and with Him, not simply work for Him!
• Few ~ Some people try to "step back" all their life and let someone else do it. They are unwilling to use their talents on a regular basis to serve Him. They may put in their efforts for a class or one-time event, but on a day-to-day basis, they are unwilling. I like I Peter 4:10-11 (NIV) because it basically says that whatever you possess, use it to glorify God. We don't have to learn something new to be effective, just use the talents we already possess and go with it! I love to be surprised how God opens doors for me to use my talents!!!

There are fields upon fields of people wanting to know about a Savior. Will you go to them or let them simply fade away by failing to "harvest" them?

Now it's your turn...what has been an obstacle for you and what has been a success for you in the area of sharing your faith?

Motivators...to Keep You Going

It is the time of year for the corn harvest in the Midwest. The problem in the area where I'm at...wetness. It has been just wet enough that farmers have not been able to finish cutting the corn. The anxiousness that must flood the mind of a farmer on a regular basis is beyond my scope of understanding, as I'm not a farmer. With each crop, planting and harvesting, there is the challenge of timing. Following the planting comes the anxiousness of the balance of moisture and sunlight.

When I read this week's quote, I thought of a few different things to start it off with, but my mind kept coming back to the farmer. Here's this week's quote...

Faith and doubt both are needed, not as antagonists, but working side by side to take us around the unknown curve. ~Lillian Smith

Not being a farmer, I am going off of experiences being around farmers. When a farmer goes to plant, with hopes of the upcoming harvest that will take place in a few months, I can't help but to think he has faith and doubt. Faith that the crop will have a high yield and doubt that the weather will be without fail. I'm sure there are other 'faiths' and 'doubts', but either way the farmer keeps forging ahead, year after year, because he's been through it before and it keeps him going to the unknown season that lies ahead.

The same can go for us in life. We have no idea what the day may bring, but we keep going. For someone who sees no hope, you may need to add the faith, for doubt is rampant.

When I travel in the mountains, I can't see where the next town is, generally. I doubt that it is around the next curve, but I have faith it is coming up. It keeps me going!

May faith and doubt be the salt and pepper to keep you going in life!

Crushed...for Purpose

When was the last time you considered being crushed? Was it as a result of a friend's action? Was it because you didn't get what you wanted? Or something in between? When we normally think of the word "crushed" it is normally a bad thing. However, let's think of how it can be for the positive. That brings us to this week's quote...

The heart, like the grape, is prone to delivering its harvest in the same moment it appears to be crushed. ~ Roger Houseden

Being crushed can be used for good. Think about these examples: Peanuts become peanut butter. Apples become apple sauce. Tomatoes become tomato sauce. Grapes become grape juice. Rock becomes concrete. Wheat becomes flour. All those secondary products become useful for something else.

As you are crushed in life, how will your heart create a secondary product that is just as good, if not better then what you were prior to being crushed? The unfortunate part is that you don't know what the product will be until it is crushed. We don't welcome the crushing, but we see what we can do after the crushing.

A crushed grape may look ruined, but rather is just being used for another purpose. A crushed spirit may seem ruined, but it can be used for another purpose, maybe greater than before!

This extra quote helps make the point...

"Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length;
Pressed so intensely it seems, beyond strength;
Pressed in the body and pressed in the soul,
Pressed in the mind till the dark surges roll.
Pressure by foes, and a pressure from friends.
Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.

"Pressed into knowing no helper but God;
Pressed into loving the staff and the rod.
Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;
Pressed into faith for impossible things.
Pressed into living a life in the Lord,
Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured."
by L.B. Cowan

Have a fantastic rest of your week!

Reminding myself that I can be crushed and useful...