“He told them, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Luke 10:2 This is arguably one of the most quoted scriptures in the bible. We learn this in vacation bible school and in every Sunday school throughout the world. We love to quote it because in my humble opinion it makes us sound deep. However, knowing you car needs gas and failing to do anything about it will not prevent your car from running out of gas. Why is it that we quote this scripture yet fail to act on it or do anything about it. Most of us sit under rich teaching every Sunday and do nothing with it. We talk a lot and some of us plan a lot but there is no action. Remember this, “faith without works is dead.” We talk a lot about faith and the power of His might yet we live like we don’t believe anything we are taught on Sunday’s and His power is limited.

I have been blessed to have a bunch of youth participate in the basketball league I am affiliated with. The families have been so supportive and very thankful. Many parents have thanked me several times for allowing them to be a part of something positive. I have families travleing to Elkins Park from South Philly, North Philly, Germantown, East and West Oaklane and Northeast Philadelphia just to particpate. There is no profanity, arguing or fighting allowed yet the youth are still coming out.

Many parents and youth have already asked me what’s next. It’s safe to say that many of these families are a part of the harvest that is so plentiful and just right for the picking. While we focus on same sex marriage, abortion and party allegiance we have generations of people ripe to be harvested. I get and understand the stance we take on issues like abortion and same sex marriage but I don’t get or understand in the lack of work in the body. This is Jesus telling the disciples that there is much work to do because the harvest of individuals who need to hear the gospel, to feel a touch from Jesus, to be loved unconditionally, to feel loved and appreciated and just to know that someone cares enough about them and where they will spend eternity is plentiful. I spent 30 minutes talking to a young lady who is desperately trying to find her way. I could tell that she is use to be on her own and making adult decisions. Yet when others spoke of her they just saw someone who will not listen and who is defiant. What did Jesus see when He first saw you in your pre-Christ image?

This is where the saints are called to be in the vineyard working for Christ and not in our pews on Sunday selfishly soaking up the word. I get so many invitations to attend bible studies and visit churches and I appreciate them all. However, I ask myself the question when do we apply all of the knowledge we gain by attending bible study and church? Where is the application of the preparation you have partaken in? Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts. Many of us have allowed other things or people to infiltrate and take up residency in our hearts and it shows in our every day life styles and in our lack of activity in the vineyards. What about you? Where is your heart? Can folk see whom you love by your life style? There is a credit card commercial that ask “what’s in your wallet?” Well as followers of Christ what’s in your heart?

“Keep Pushing The Stone”
Christopher A. Pender, Sr. MHS
Accentuate The Positive