Rise and Go

Scott McFarland
05/09/21 - Sun AM Worship

Help Wanted

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.”

—Matthew 9:36-38—

Over the last year, employment has been a constant challenge. One of the things I keep hearing from employers right now—particularly in certain industries such as the food industry—is that the work is there, but the employees are not. Often, those comments are said with a bit of disgust and frustration. Restaurants have to close early because they can’t get enough help. Help wanted ads are all over the place. The work is there, but where are the workers?

It’s easy to get caught up complaining about a “lazy” workforce, but have you ever thought that God may look at us the same way? Jesus said the harvest is plentiful! The work is there! But, the workers aren’t. I grew up in Maryland, which has an abundance of produce farms in its Eastern Shore region. Every year, thousands of workers come into the fields to take fruit off the fields as it ripens. And, every year, there is concern that this year there may not be enough workers. If there aren’t enough workers, the fruit spoils and rots. It’s wasted.

I wonder if the same is true about spiritual fruit? I don’t know at this point, I’m really just asking a question. I wonder if there’s a window of time we have with people, and after it’s gone that opportunity to share the Gospel with them is as well. I wonder how much “fruit” spoils and rots?

God says the harvest is there; He just needs more workers. Are you a worker?

-Scott McFarland