"He said to his disciples, 'The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:37-38, NLT
I heard the familiar steps of my oldest daughter coming down the stairs. Begrudgingly, I closed my Bible, irritated that her new morning routine interrupted my quiet time.
I was already waking up a full hour before my children, making lunches, preparing breakfast, and double-checking backpacks. It isn’t an unreasonable request to have thirty minutes alone to read my Bible. So when my daughter started coming down 15 minutes earlier just to sit and talk with me, what I should have easily recognized as an opportunity, I viewed as an interruption.
Just a few days earlier, some friends shared that they felt a strong call to international missions but felt trapped by their current season of motherhood. I understood their frustration, as I, too, long for a time when I could easily hop on a plane and spend two weeks in a remote location sharing the Gospel.
But I began thinking, in looking out the window, longing for tomorrow, have we missed the opportunity for missions right before us? I know I certainly have, and maybe you have, too.
Do you feel a tad annoyed that you aren’t able to join the community outreach event because you are at home rocking babies?
Do you feel a pang of jealousy when your single friend shares that she will go abroad and teach English while you are stuck at home taking care of your family?
Do you ever prioritize the needs of your church or community over your obligations at home? Because let’s be honest, sometimes it’s easier to serve when a thank you is involved.
I’ve been there, and I am still learning the message found in our key verse that the harvest is plentiful, inside and outside our homes. Jesus spoke the words found in Matthew 9:37-38 to his disciples in response to seeing helpless crowds of people who longed for a savior. But, it’s interesting what he says next; instead of giving the disciples a 5 step action plan to share the Gospel, He tells them to pray. Jesus shares that we can both pray for more laborers to spread the message and actively participate in sharing the Gospel.
What better way to do this than to share the gospel and what it means to follow Christ in our homes? Our children and our families aren’t distractions from the work we think we’ve been called to do; they are our priority. Our enemy wants nothing more than to direct our attention “out there,” all the while, people living under our roof don’t know Christ as Lord and Savior.
I am not suggesting we abandon local, national, or international missions; if the Lord has called you to that, He will make it clear. But let me encourage you to embrace the eternal impact that can be made on your children and future generations. We see this in 1 Timothy 1:5 when Paul credits Timothy’s mother and grandmother’s biblical teaching for his spiritual maturity. As parents, we are responsible for sharing the message of salvation and teaching our children to obey God's commandments, making the most of every opportunity (Deuteronomy 6:6).
I readily admit that I'd again missed the point in my reluctance to invite my daughter into Bible study. But, thankfully, God is patient with His children, and graciously, that day, He exposed the opportunity I had to co-labor with him in the harvest of my child’s heart.
In the blink of an eye, she will head off to college and eventually out into the world, and I will have more wiggle room in my calendar for missions near and far. Until that day, and as long as I am her momma, I pray that the Lord will guide me as I sow spiritual seeds, hoping for a harvest of eternal life.
Heavenly Father, we are grateful that you are patient and merciful. Thank you for guiding us back to You, the Truths found in Scriptures when we have lost perspective and gone astray. Thank you for the blessings of family, and be with us as we teach our children and share the Good News of the Gospel. We love you, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/mycola
Laura Bailey is an author and Bible teacher who encourages women to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply biblical truths to their lives. Her recent book, Embracing Eternity in the Here and Now, explores how the timeless truths of Ecclesiastes help us live more peaceful, purposeful, and plentiful lives today.
She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and three young girls, where she serves as director of women's ministries at her church. Her passion is teaching the Bible to women, equipping them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com
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