There is no shortage of people to reach in this world. If you look around, you will see kids and families who need Jesus.
Look what Jesus said in Matthew 9:
"And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
As Jesus went to the cities and villages of His surroundings, He saw crowds of people who needed the Gospel. He was so moved that He said, "The harvest is plentiful."
The challenge was not the harvest. There were great crowds of people to reach. The challenge was having enough workers to reach them.
The same can be said of the day we live in. The harvest is truly plentiful. Over 8 billion people call earth "home." Many of them have never even heard the name of Jesus spoken. Scores of them have never had access to a Bible.
The same can be said about the youngest generation. By 2025, there will be over 2 billion Gen Alpha children on this planet. The harvest is truly plentiful.
The issue today is the same as it was in Jesus' day. The laborers are few. We need more volunteers to give their life to reaching the multitudes of people who don't know Jesus.
We must open our eyes and see the plentiful harvest around us. The verses tell us that Jesus saw the crowds of people who needed Him. Ask God to open your eyes to the lost condition of those around you.
The first step in reaching those around you is to see them as Jesus sees them. Lost. Without the Good Shepherd. Harassed by the evil one. Helpless to save themselves. Wondering lost like a sheep who doesn't have a shepherd.
The next step is to ask God to fill your heart with compassion for the lost around you. As Jesus saw the multitudes of people, His heart was filled with compassion for them. Ask God to give you fresh compassion for the people in your community that do not know Jesus.
Compassion will motivate you to get up and do something about reaching your community. Compassion will propel you to serve others. Compassion will turn your attention to those around you instead of yourself.
Jesus said out of the compassion you experience, prayer will become a vital part of reaching your community.
What will you be moved to pray for? Workers for the plentiful harvest?
If you want to reach plenty of people, then you will need to have plenty of workers (volunteers).
We are to pray EARNESTLY for more volunteers. When we get burdened to reach those around us, it will force us to our knees to beg God for help.
We know that nothing of eternal value happens without prayer. Prayer will be the difference-maker.
May God give us a fresh vision and passion to reach the kids and families that surround us.
