'Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”' (Matt 9:35-38)
In May this year it will be ten years since the first gathering of people to begin City on a Hill. As we reflect on what has happened over those last ten years it can be tempting to focus on the barn that has been built and take our eyes off the fields that wait to be harvested.
God has been so gracious to our church and it is easy to just look and admire what he has done. To focus on and celebrate the people who have come to faith, those who have joined us and partnered in the work, those who are continuing to mature as followers of Jesus, people who have gone out to continue to work in the Lord's harvest field elsewhere. We can be tempted to look at the church, at the 'harvest' that has been brought in and think ‘job done’.
Now it is right to stop and give thanks for God’s work amongst us but we never should lose sight of the fields of the Lord’s harvest! Our compassion for the lost must drive us to see more and more saved.
Our city and country are filled with people who do not yet know Jesus and are sitting outside God’s blessing and under his righteous condemnation. There is so much more praying and sharing and serving and equipping to do so that God might draw even more people into his heavenly kingdom.
God privileges us to partnership with him in this work but I urge us all to not be content with the barn that the Lord has built but to keep our eyes on the fields and those who are still to hear and respond to the good news of Jesus.
So why not spend some time praying giving thanks for what God has done amongst us but also pray for what he might still do as he draws people to himself. Pray for friends, family and neighbours who don't yet know Jesus.
Grace & peace,
Andrew