HARVEST HANDS
Jesus has called us into action. He says to start out local and talk to our neighbors. He says to do remarkable works and miracles among the people closest to is. When we do travel to proclaim His message, we are to trust that our needs will be taken care of by those we are going to minister to. We are to be polite and unassuming, gracious to everybody. Speak the Message to those who will listen and quietly walk away from those who will not. There will be a consequence for those who refuse to accept you and what you have to say, but that is not our concern as we are not the Judge. Jesus says that representing Him is dangerous work and that we need to stay alert, be cunning, and remain innocent. Many of the people that we go to and share the Gospel with will second guess our motives and try to drag us through the mud and ruin our reputation. At first I am tempted to ask why?, but then I realize that when we both speak AND LIVE the Word of God, people feel convicted, and they must either change their lifestyle or fight for their comfort zone. In the Message (bible version), it says that there is a great irony, proclaiming so much Love and receiving so much Hate. I hear over and over again people ask about Good People and why should they be concerned about Jesus and what could they possibly need to change in their lives? How is everybody defining Good? Following the local laws, providing for themselves and their families? Showing an interest in charitable causes? These are all good things, but do they make a person good? The bible says that we are born sinners (not a good thing), but no one looks at a baby or young child as something repulsive. It occurs to me that sin and maturity have an interesting connection. Infants are hard wired to seek out their own personal selfish needs; food, diaper change, cuddling etc...They have to for survival. Their whole existence is all about them and what we can do for them. It doesn't take too long though before they grow up enough to express appreciation and love towards their caregivers. It takes many years before a child gets to a place of empathy and concern for others, and usually many years later still before the child or maybe young adult decides to act on behalf of other people. The same is true of our spiritual lives. Everything is about us and our comfort level and what others can do for us. Sometimes we define ourselves as good if we do not require much from others or use much in the way of resources; Ex, "I am not on welfare", or "I have not been put in jail", or even, "I have a job and take care of myself just fine". It comes as a real slap in the face to some people to find out that more is required of us. Why do we need to concern ourselves with others? Just leave me alone and let me stay out of your way. Other peoples lives are messy and I don't want to be involved. The great news is that just as children we can start out small, give a cup of water someone who is thirsty. Make people comfortable. Care about peoples lives. Once we start to concern ourselves with others, God takes care of us and our souls, and no one person can destroy our core being.
