The Few Ordinary Workers

"Jesus was going through all the cities and villages...Seeing the people, He felt compassion on them because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.'" (9:35-36)

This is a loaded passage that has everything to do with your work and your workplace. Notice the scope of Jesus ministry: "all the cities and villages." That's exactly where the Church today has been scattered...in all the cities and villages around the state, country, and world. Notice how His experience in the cities made Jesus feel: "seeing the people, He had compassion on them." This was His perspective as He looked around at all the people in the workplaces and marketplaces of the cities and villages.

But notice this: He asked His disciples to pray for workers to go into the harvest (i.e., workplaces, the marketplace, fields, anywhere the people were) because the need was great and workers were scarce. I formerly thought of workers here as some code word for missionaries. A close inspection of the usage of the word in its original language reveals that workers here is the actual term for workman or laborer; an artisan, one who trades or does business, acquires or gains by labor.

Jesus is talking about ordinary workers- those engaged in business, commerce, skilled craftsmen, artists and so on. He isn't saying anything about missionaries, pastors or vocational ministers. He is saying to pray that more believers in their workplaces will see themselves as agents sent by God into their workplaces and to view co-workers with compassion.

How will these workers minister to their co-workers? Through the avenue of their professions and jobs, of course! That's the context of where they have been placed by the Lord of the harvest.

So today's question is: Will you be one of the few? Will you be a worker who views his co-workers with compassion? Will you embrace the reality that you have been sent by God to minister to your associates as you practice the skills of your trade or profession? Those who actually adopt this God-view "are few," Jesus explains.

Today's Workplace Challenge:

First, acknowledge that it is God who gave you your trade or profession. It is a tool He has put in your hands and is your way of connecting with people in your city, village or town.

Next, see your co-workers as Jesus did: as needy, stressed out and discouraged.

Finally, commit to be one of the few who will be the agent by which God is at work in your workplace to bring healing-even eternal life and hope- to the people in your office or company.

Because there are so few workers willing to serve with this perspective, your commitment is huge. Follow Christ in this matter and you make today and every day count!

WB “The Other 6 Days” Journal