The Fruitful Laborer

"Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor" (John 4:37-38).

It's hard to be the sower when the reaper gets all the glory if you're viewing your life through human eyes. Our earthly world magnifies reapers while ignoring the sowers hidden in the limelight shadows. Who values the unseen planter that brings forth the prosperous harvest another person gathers? Jesus does and His extravagant plans for your heavenly rewards far exceed any earthly bonus!

This Labor Day weekend I'm reminded that God's work never ceases, nor should we His workers. Do you dread working for the King of Kings or realize it is a privilege that God helps you with? As the Holy Spirit tames our wrong motives and anoints our work we become useful vessels and fruitful laborers. He enables us to be holy as He is holy to an increasingly decadent and depraved world. Sharing the gospel requires daily seed scattering of words and deeds, and praying that God would bring forth new life in dead souls.

This is no time to slumber! Scriptures warns us, "Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you" Revelation 3:2-3.

Which Jesus are you sharing with the world? The one who makes life easy and condones their sinfulness, or the One who died for their sins and beckons them to turn from evil and walk with Him? Pray for a sweet boldness from Christ to share the truth, not a watered down gospel that has no power to change anything. Then you will be fruitful laborers that honor His holy name with a bountiful harvest of souls that He gathers in. "Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor" (John 4:37-38).

Your fellow herald for Jesus,

Mary