Anyone who loves Jesus, loves the church and loves the lost so much that he/she wants to make his or her life count for Christ. But sometimes we can become so full of knowledge, strategies, and statistics about the needs and opportunities out there, that we don’t know where to begin! In today’s passage, the Bible says “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field”” (Matthew 9:35-38). My brother, my sister, when we take a close look at the passage above, we see four keys to ensuring your life has a revolutionary impact for Christ.
1. SEE AS JESUS SAW
When Jesus looked at the crowds, He didn’t just see a group of people who were about to demand even more of His time and energy. He looked beyond the surface and realised that they were spiritually oppressed and downcast. They had a spiritual hunger, and He offered to satisfy it. When you look out at the world today, your neighborhood, your community, your country… what do you see? Ask the Lord to help you see the world as He sees it.
2. FEEL AS JESUS FELT
Once you begin to view the world through the eyes of Christ, it’s only natural that you will begin to share His feelings about the world as well. When Jesus saw the crowds, He was moved to compassion for them. He felt people’s suffering. His heart was broken. Are you moved to compassion when you look at the world today? What breaks your heart? How about asking God what breaks His heart? Ask Him to share His heart with you.
3. PRAY AS JESUS PRAYED
Jesus was saddened when He saw how much the people were suffering, but He wasn’t discouraged. Instead, He asked God to send people to work in the harvest field, knowing His Father was greater than any problem we face. When was the last time you asked God to do this, to send workers into the harvest field? Or, when was the last time you asked God to send you into the harvest field? This is a risky prayer that God just might answer! But if you are not willing to go, do you really think it’s right to ask God to send others?
4. DO AS JESUS DID
Jesus didn’t just ask God to send workers, He got involved Himself. He saw the crowds, His heart was moved to compassion, and He rolled up His sleeves and got to work. Are you willing to get involved like this? Ministering to others is a risky work. Thus, many of us put forward a number of excuses: “It’s too risky.” “What if people make fun of me?” “I’m too old.” “I don’t have enough money.” “I don’t have enough time.” “I’m afraid.” But no excuse is big enough to disqualify you from doing the work of Christ. You are never too young, too old, too poor, too rich, too busy, or too fearful to serve God. All God requires is a willing heart. If you give Him that, He will take things from there.
This month, as we focus on how to make an impact in our community for Christ, I invite you to work through these four steps (one each week) and see what the Lord will do through His Spirit to empower you to make a significant difference. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.