“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” // Matthew 9:37-38
Have you experienced the effects of the labor shortage in our current post-pandemic world? Retail, manufacturing, hospitality, health care, and education are just a few of the industries experiencing significant staffing shortfalls. Labor economists continue to analyze the supply chain woes and the painful pinch of inflation. Doom and gloom fills the news cycle.
In today’s Gospel, we catch a Biblical glimpse of another labor shortage. We see how beautifully Jesus’ Heart became attentive to the distress of those around Him. Our Lord could have said, “All right everyone, we are completely short staffed right now, so I need all of you to take on extra responsibilities and work double shifts. We will get the job done if everyone just works harder and longer. No complaining—you can do it!”
As frustrating as the current economy may be, we must remember that the Kingdom of God operates in a radically different way. The supernatural life of grace is at the heart of Kingdom living. Jesus instructs His disciples to directly ask the master to send out more workers. There are no supply chain issues in His Kingdom! The King of Kings and Lord of Lords has an endless supply of resources, and He simply desires for us to ask Him for more.
This is the heart of intercessory prayer, dear sister. We need to be courageous and bold in our requests. Let our generous Father in Heaven lavishly pour His love into your heart. Go to Him in prayer and imagine how His Heart is moved with pity for the current suffering in your life. He sees all the ways that your particular heart feels troubled and abandoned. Our Father knows how to communicate His love to you in a way that you can understand. Do not be afraid to ask Him to provide more laborers for His harvest.
God is faithful and desires to shepherd you into a supernatural life of grace, hope, and joy.
Rose Coleman is an elementary school teacher with a heart for pilgrimage. She traveled the globe on a ship during college and spent some years in the convent as a religious sister. She was a contributing author to All She Had, Blessed Conversations: Rooted, and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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