This is a word I heard in my spirit today: “pick up your sickle and join the Labor Force!”

In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.”

Jesus spoke those words 2000 years ago when the church was still a toddler and the work of equipping was in its infancy (Ephesians 4:11-13). The laborers were very few in those days but if we browse the internet today, and we look  around our neighborhoods and cities, we’ll notice that this is no longer the case. Christian ministries are every where!

Indeed, let us continue to pray for more laborers to come off the church benches and onto the harvest fields. Many are bound by religious traditions and denominational barriers, including church doctrines that won’t permit them to participate in activities outside their church walls. Harvesting of souls is a Kingdom, global initiative, not a denominational tool to control and manipulate believers.  Jesus is the KEY Laborer and He’s the King in the field. As His co-laborers, we are partnering with Him for the purpose of expanding the kingdom. Kingdom expansion is not based on how many people attend a particular church (many believers church-hop) but how many NEW believers have accepted the message of the gospel and put their faith in Christ Jesus (Acts 2:41)

In Mark 16:15, Jesus gave this commission “GO into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

There’s is room for many more laborers and YOU are needed in the field.  Here are a few questions for reflection: How are you partnering with the King in the field? What would hinder you from preaching the gospel and going to the nations, knowing that He has promised to “supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”? (Philippians 4:19)

Is it fear of failure or of the unknown, fear of the enemy, intimidation, lack of boldness, feeling inadequate or insignificant? Whatever it is, Jesus can take care of it. Just be willing to focus on the task and leave the consequences and outcome to Him. Bear in mind that failure is not always a bad thing. It’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and trust in the Lord.

The Lord may have a role that only YOU can undertake because of your skills, ability, capability, calling, anointing and other factors engraved in your spiritual DNA. You may be waiting for Him to send someone else but your name may already be printed on Heaven’s Work Order.

The harvest awaits.

Come join the Labor Force!

Anne Janssens
13 August 2018