“When he looked over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!” (Matthew 9:36-38 MSG)
Last time we were in Hawaii, we visited a coffee plantation. The tour guide explained how coffee is a labor intensive crop. The coffee berries have to be handpicked, and there are few laborers on the island. Many of the residents of the island are retirees or wealthy celebrities from the mainland. The rest are either tourists or islanders involved in businesses catering to tourists. When the coffee crop is ready to be harvested, the farmers are desperate for harvest hands to help out. They need short people to pick from the lower branches and tall people who can reach the higher branches. They will take anyone who is willing and available.
Our Father looks out at the world and sees the abundant potential of His children. He is heartbroken over the waste, confusion, and aimlessness all around. He needs harvest hands to reach out, gather, and process the bounty. He needs laborers of all sizes and skill sets. Not everyone can be reached by the same kind of harvest hand. Those who cannot be reached by one worker may be accessible to another. Thus, God is ready to accept any servant who is willing and available.
Lord, train us to be laborers according to Your purposes. We pray for different harvest hands to reach those we are unable to access. Guide every human heart into Your sphere of influence.
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