When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 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 9:35-38
“All right, everybody, it’s family house cleaning day!” I would say with as much positivity and enthusiasm as possible.
My paternal proclamation would be met with groans and whines that communicated a deep despair that no words ever could.
The set time to clean would arrive. Names and tasks would be linked in a way that recognized developmental capability complete with a sense of equality.
Even still, we would be met at starting time with a deafening silence. No helpers to be seen. Just crickets…chirp, chirp.
Everywhere Jesus went, people were hurting and in crisis. Sickness, demonic oppression, poverty, injustice and spiritual bankruptcy are just a few of the oft-repeated travails he would encounter.
He taught. He healed. He delivered.
All this in the face of vicious opposition.
And the crowds continued. Day after day he would be inundated with desperate need.
Yet, he would maintain a posture of compassion.
“Sheep without a shepherd,” he said.
“The harvest is great,” he said. “Ask the Lord to send in more workers.”
Why are the workers few?
Are we all, generally speaking, oblivious to the desperation just outside our front doors? I doubt it.
Sadly, there are some who really don’t care.
Some work hard to insulate their lives from it.
Some are fully engaged, bringing a cold cup of water to the thirsty in the name of Jesus.
Some are overwhelmed.
Some have no idea how to help.
Some are simply too preoccupied.
This world still needs Jesus — his forgiveness, his compassion.
Who will bring the gospel message? Who will be his hands and feet of compassion?
Perhaps it’s time for you and me to become answers to Jesus’ prayer.
God can
Then Pharoah said to Joseph,
“I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.”
“It is beyond my power to do this.” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”
— Genesis 41:15-16
After being constantly annoyed for weeks, it was clear that something had to be done about the dysfunctional refrigerator alarm.
One more ding and the sledgehammer would have gone to work.
Many times my sweet wife asked me what we needed to do to take care of the problem.
I had no idea.
Refrigerator repair school was not a part of my education. I couldn’t fix it.
However, with some serious searching online, I found the right video.
I was able to access the control panel and remove the dinger. And then, there was much rejoicing!
Joseph was in a pickle.
Imprisoned on false charges, he now had his one and only opportunity to gain freedom.
This was his moment. It was his time to shine.
The problem? His ticket to freedom entailed interpreting the dreams of Pharoah, the Egyptian boss man.
I could almost hear the refrigerator dinger in the background.
“I can’t,” he said, “but God can.”
He was absolutely convinced this moment was God’s doing.
So, he put his life on the line believing God would come through. He did in a big way. God can.
I’m still amazed at how many things I think I can do that I know full well I can’t.
I can’t love and serve my wife the way she deserves to be loved and served. I can’t be the father and grandfather my kids need me to be. I can’t love my neighbor like Jesus said I should. I can’t be the pastor my church family should rightfully expect me to be.
Good grief, I can’t even manufacture a truly wise thought or word to share to anybody.
I used to pretend I could.
Now, not so much. I’m perfectly content with all my “can’ts.”
Why? Because God can.
He can enable me to do all these things and so much more.
Wiles is senior minister of Fall Creek Christian Church in Pendleton. He can be reached at 765-778-3166.