Here in the United States it is Labor Day. We honor the
work of millions of people who struggle in the midst of difficult circumstances
to keep food on their table and their families together. We look back at how
people came together in a common mind to protect the basic rights of the worker.
We do face uncertain times and as we honor the American worker, let’s take a
look at something on a different level.
Faith can be lulled to sleep when we are focused on our
own labors and comfort rather than God's plan.
Abraham did not fall into this trap. He traded the
familiar for the unknown and received many blessings.
Living and working by faith is the right answer when God
calls us to move forward. His call can come to us at any age and in any
situation. Abraham was 75 when he began his journey. David was a shepherd boy
when he was anointed to be king.
Paul encountered the Lord on his way to arrest Jewish
believers in Damascus. After his conversion, he became the Lord's
representative to the Gentiles. Our call may not be so dramatic, but it will
always involve taking a step of faith.
Labor in God’s service will also include times of
testing. Abraham, like all of us, had some successes and some failures. The
initial call to leave his country was met with strong belief and immediate
action. As a result, he received a promise of great blessing for him and his
descendants. But encountering famine brought a different response. He took a
trip to Egypt, he lied about his relationship with Sarah, and he was criticized
by Pharaoh. Our response to God's call to work or even get up and do something
for Him really does matter. We can bring blessing or heartache through our
actions.
Jesus said after feeling sorry for those who were “worried
and helpless,” “There is such a big harvest of people to bring
in. But there are only a few workers to help harvest them. God owns the harvest. Ask him to send more workers to help gather
his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38)
There is nothing
in this world greater than the power of God. The only way to get in touch with
that power is to come into a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Before you
get to Jesus, you have to be willing to let go of the shepherds you have been
following. There are so many people we come into contact with that do not know
the great shepherd Jesus even exists. Jesus
says, there are so many people who are ready to know the truth, but there are
not enough workers willing to go and tell them. Will you pray that we here
would be willing to go into the fields for a harvest. One of the best kept
secrets anywhere we look is what God is doing in the lives of people as close
as the one sitting next to you at church. It’s a shame we are keeping this
secret to ourselves saying, “It’s not my job,” and letting someone else do the
work.
Obeying God can be uncomfortable. Those close to us may
question our motives or disagree with our decisions. And we ourselves may not
want to do what He asks. But faith keeps moving forward in obedience. It helps
us stay focused and experience the blessings found in a relationship with
Christ.
