Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “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.”
Matthew 9:35-38

Dear God, when I read this passage this morning I was struck by the last few words: “…ask him to send more workers into his fields.” I’m surprised he didn’t tell them that they needed to get to work. Sure, maybe that was implied because he knew it would take more than them to get the job done. And presumably people would have to be taught, either by Jesus or someone who knew Jesus, how to be a harvester. It still strikes me that each of us has a role to play in your kingdom and the intimation for me here is that not everyone Jesus was addressing was intended to be a harvester.

I think there are probably two things all of us need to pay attention to as we work out our faith and our place in your kingdom. First, we need to seek your direction and follow when we feel led. Second, we need to make sure that we stay with your guidance on the journey and don’t say things that will accidentally lead people away from you.

Father, help me to get past some of the things I allow to distract me from you and the work you’ve given to me. Help me to not only work hard, but to work within the construct of seeking your presence and wisdom. Speak to me through Scripture. Speak to me through others. Give me a discerning heart that will separate the wheat from the chaff so that I might be both a servant in your kingdom and avoid being someone who accidentally or intentionally leads others away from you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen