“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” - Matthew 9:37
Tomorrow Labor Day is celebrated throughout the United States. First proposed in May, 1882 by Matthew Maguire (some say it was Peter Maguire in May, 1862), the first Monday in September (as now celebrated) was not recognized by the Federal government until 1894. By that time Labor Day officially was recognized and celebrated by 30 states. While for most of us it’s a day to rest, it recognizes the contribution labor has played in the history of our country.
Labor always has been important to societies, from the earliest hunter-gatherers to the myriad number of jobs available today. In my life, I’ve held seven jobs (I count my 22-plus years in ministry as one job served in different locations), everything from sacking groceries to serving six different churches. Is there a difference in these jobs? Viewed from the outside, yes. After all, one might suggest, being a pastor is way more important than sacking groceries!
Maybe that’s true, but rather than classify work as either meaningful or menial, why not see all labor as meaningful. A sacker at HEB provides a service, and when done with a helpful and cheerful attitude, it can be the difference in a person’s otherwise lousy day. Labor not only provides employment, it can as well provide worth and dignity to the person, recognizing that they provide meaningful work no matter how menial it may appear.
Now to the text quoted above. The church requires laborers – everything from those who clean to teachers to administrative personnel, and on and on. The church cannot function without paid staff. But more important, absolutely it cannot function without volunteer labor. Plus, each of those who follow Jesus are called into the mission field. No, we don’t have to travel halfway around the world to engage in mission. It can happen right next door.
Our job is to present the good news. Or, as an old adage goes, we catch’em but God cleans’em. What we’re talking about is evangelism: one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. The labor of the disciple has no retirement nor end date. Constantly we’re called into the mission field. Why would we not want to tell others what God has done for us? Why would we not want to share the good news of Jesus Christ? The labor of a disciple is our joyous response to what God has done for us. It is both task and privilege at the same time.
So, it’s time to get to work! The harvest plentiful, and laborers greatly are needed. Ready to get to work? See you on the journey as we share the good news!
Grace and peace,
Mike
September 6, 2015