“The Lord now chose seventy-two[a] other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2 These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. 3 Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.” Luke 10:1-4 NLT
If this isn’t instructions on how to perform evangelism, then I don’t know what is! I encourage you all to read Luke 10:1-20. Jesus gave 72 disciples instructions on how to effectively evangelize to the world on their travels. But there are some points I would like to bring up though…
The BIG one: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few”.
I believe we can all come to an agreement that we are living in a world that is fast-paced, innovative, and competitive. Especially with Apple and its devices. (I’m not trying to downplay my crew cause I’m #teamiphone myself and I WILL be biased about them). But Apple are always innovative and they usually come out with new iPhones almost every year and compete with other companies like Samsung. However, when it comes to Christ, there is NO competition at all.
There is SO much to do for the Kingdom of God on Earth. The harvest represents the people, it represents the world. Why? Because “God so loved the WORLD, that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus)” [John 3:16].
According to good ole Google, there are over 8 billion people who are living on Earth so far in 2023. That’s a HUGE harvest for us Christians to cultivate, edify, comfort, encourage, pray for, guide, and do whatever the Lord desires us to do for His people. Jesus knew His time for departure was coming and was trying to prepare His disciples to continue the works that His father (God) charged Him to do, and now unto us.
But let us talk about this though: “Are you a worker or a bystander?”
A worker is a person….who works. A good worker is diligent, integral, disciplined, and everything else that hire recruiters typically look for in their employees.
But what about a bystander? A bystander is one who is PRESENT but NOT taking part in a situation or event. They are also known as spectators, observers, or a watcher.
So which one are YOU? Like those college commercials “Are you going to sit there and watch life passing you by?” or are you actually going to do the works that God called you to do?
But get this, I learned that you can do all the good deeds/works for the sake of God or good morale and STILL be out of the will of God or be disobedient.
What has the Lord called you to do?
Are you scared? Scare of failing Him? Fear of humiliating yourself? Fear to lose people that you love? Fear of the unknown? Lack of funds? It’s too big or it’s just basically crazy? Are you even qualified? Who told you that you cannot do it? Who discouraged you from following God? What’s the hold-up?
Understand this: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 NLT
When God created you, He equipped you. He activates them when He knows that you are spiritually ready. But He didn’t place it there for nothing. It was meant to be used for His glory on earth. To say that you’re not worthy or you do not qualify for the calling of the Lord or any God-ordained position or opportunity or idea He orchestrated for you is a LIE. Because “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one[the Holy Spirit] who is in you is greater than the one[satan] who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 NIV. You are so important in the kingdom of God. With or without the title, with or without the largest number of followers on social media, with or without the money, with or without the degrees or credentials, whether your past is tainted or not, despite your marital status, you are STILL important in the Kingdom of God. What the Lord has placed in you, whether it's a gift, a vision, a song, a play, a business idea, a movie, a choreography, a dream, or any idea, is not all by accident. Which is why ministry is so much bigger than the 4 walls of the church building. God can use you (if you permitted Him to) as a lawyer, a doctor, a politician, a fashion designer, a dancer, an actor/actress, a chef, and more! As long as you allow God to be God in your life and also in everything you do, you will see miraculous signs, miracles, and wonders wherever you go. Who can reach out to the masses, to the lost, to the backsliders all over the world?
There is so much work for all of us Christians to do and it will take God who is working in us, to effectively do it!
Let this post be a reminder, an encouragement, and a conviction for you to get yourself back into alignment to do what God called you to do. Don’t let comparison creep in because you are wonderfully and uniquely made. You’re not meant “fit in” with others, but ONLY to STAND OUT. Got rejected? Praise God, it means that God has something better for you. Rejection can be painful sometimes, but we fail to understand that God is literally trying to redirect us to something better. Everybody is doing what you want to do? DO IT ANYWAYS! There are a lot of coffee shops, but there is a clear distinction between Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts along with their quality of coffee, variety of food, and prices, and both of them are thriving! Do not allow that to stop you.
I advise you to have a completely honest conversation with God, repent, and ask Him what does He want for you to do in this season? What is your assignment(s)? Be prepared to hear from Him and be prepared to listen and actually obey Him this time. Some of us already know what to do, but we hold off because of fear or numerous reasons. Remember, it is not you out there in the world alone, it is the Lord who goes before you, who covers you, who equipped you, who empowers you, who strengthens you, who graced you, and more to do the works on the earth.
Activity: After you pray with the Lord, write down a list of your spiritual gift(s), talents, and skills. Really look at it and ask God to help you use them and cultivate them for His glory. When He reveals it to you, it will require you to step out of your comfort zone, but fear not, the Lord is with you!
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