You are God’s field, God’s building.

“Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest.” Mathew 9:38

I’ve been thinking a lot about prayer and the things that Jesus taught us about it. I’ve wondered about its importance and how much the Father wants us to co-labor with him on the earth. If it’s true that whatever God wants to happen, simply will happen, then why are we called to prayer? Could it be that we can develop a sense, an extra one - the sense of prayer, in which we discover what God wants us to pray? Could it be that we are to use this sense in order to agree with him in prayer and release his goodness and bring change? What a wonderful thought. 

How about when Jesus taught about persistence in prayer? He said that even when we inconvenience a friend with insistence we will get what we ask for. How much more will we receive good gifts from our Father as we persist in asking, seeking, and knocking?

There’s one teaching, however, that struck me recently. Jesus said we should pray for laborers to be released. He said this as if there weren’t enough of them, or perhaps too many of them aren’t aware of the readiness of the harvest. He said this shortly before he sent out the disciples to proclaim the Kingdom, heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out evil spirits. And prior to that he had himself been healing the blind, the sick, and those suffering afflictions. He reaches a dramatic point in which, looking out with compassion, he sees all the lost and confused, harassed and helpless people everywhere and says, “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (Matt 9:37) Was he tired? Was he longing for the day when he could send his Spirit to dwell in the hearts of men so that they could do “greater works?” (John 14:12) Is he still looking out with compassion towards the field of hearts all over the world? 

I know this letter has far too many questions. I know that there are challenges in each life and time constraints that make it difficult to discern the harvest. But maybe for a small moment, can we think about what it means to be sent? To send a laborer? I think once we follow the Lord into his compassion, it would be our natural cry to ask so many things on behalf of those around us. Who comes to mind right now that could use some prayer, encouragement, or a tangible act of God’s love? This isn’t just a plea for missionaries to be sent out to foreign fields. This prayer is one that may give us courage to touch someone’s life, while we still have time. This call to prayer might be one in which we realize we have become the field; confused and scattered, and need someone to hold our hand in order to heal, live, and be free. 

I don’t know what God would do for you and through you - for your family, city, nation, or in the world - if you surrender to Christ’s compassion and cry out for more workers. Actually, the call comes with trials and rewards. 

At the very least, you would feel his endless love and patience. In a greater sense, what if your prayers are catalytic for a great harvest of people to understand this kind of love and forgiveness? And finally, what if you lose yourself in his compassion and find your calling to be a sent one? Truthfully, I don’t know why we wouldn’t be sent, even if it’s to our co-workers, neighbors, students, or the person who bothers you the most. Don’t let your heart grow weary, dull, or hard. Tenderize it by listening to the field and the Lord of the harvest, truly listen. Perhaps you can even look at someone who needs your forgiveness, and say, “you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Cor 3:9)

”So, neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.” 1 Cor 3:7-8