Harvest is Plentiful

“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.” (Matt. 9:37-38, ESV)”

I saw a massive cornfield with big, ripe ears of corn. A pathway opened, and immediately I remembered the scripture about the harvest being plentiful, but the laborers being few.

At the thought of my next move, a sense of both excitement and apprehension flooded me. I asked, “How in the world can I get all of this corn, and then once I get it, what do I do, and where do I go with it?” I saw I had an apron on, and I could carry at most 20 ears. What could this small amount of harvest do compared to the entire field?

I asked, “What should I do? Do I gather as much as I can and run for it?”

He replied, “No, you show them the hole to die in, and they choose how much they are willing to surrender, and therefore how much they will harvest. The responsibility is on them.”

If they die to self, only one kernel, then that one kernel can create another plant that produces an ear with 800 kernels. If they die to self completely, then they will create a multitude of corn. As each ear has 800 seeds. 800 × 800 is 640,000.

"Daughter, it is not your responsibility for how well they choose to surrender. Your only responsibility is to show them the hole. Teach them the concept of death to self and then how to be reborn into eternal life. In the mighty name of Jesus.”

“If you teach death, there is a glorious reward and an exponential explosion of salvations as each disciple makes disciples.

***

I couldn’t help thinking that with this system, we couldn’t lose. Except we are. We haven’t been fully successful in discipling the world.  

Why?

Because we need to disciple and teach people how to die with a life lived and surrendered to Christ.

How good are you at dying?

Does your life demonstrate it with action?

Where do you need to up your game in the death department?

In prayer, don’t just ask how to live your life, but ask in what areas of your life do you need to more fully die? As you learn to die to self better, your new life is more complete.

We can’t just put Jesus on like a coat to our life that already exists without surrender. There must be a new creation in Christ through total submission. Not just an incorporation of Jesus into our lives.

I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time letting go of what I think I need and want, to embrace what God designed for me. My mind gets stuck and needs a reboot.

I then saw a desperate person, dog paddling, trying very hard to keep their head above water. All they needed to do was stand up because the water wasn’t that deep. As they stood, a glorious smile overtook their face.

This word picture is a reminder that instead of striving so hard to do, you must simply be.

I then asked, “Is there anything else I need to know?” And He said, “Plus you’re way more fun to be around when you choose to be instead of do.”

Prayer for you and me: Lord, we need help in seeing where we are not yet fully dead/ surrendered. Where are we holding on to our old lives, our old way of doing things? Help us renew our minds and get our thoughts centered on God’s truth so that we might best live this new life you’ve given us. Help us make disciples of the people you have entrusted us with. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Remind us that the harvest is plentiful and we are Your workers.