Scripture: Matthew 9:37-38
[Jesus] 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.”
 
Thought for the Day: Jesus started a movement. He urged (and urges) people to join him in the fight against global injustice and human slavery. This was and continues to be a fight that does not involve violence—ever. The fight against the powers in the world bent on destroying it is one of peaceful non-participation. It involves turning people to God, knowing that God changes everything. When Jesus makes calls for workers, he’s not asking for people to invade other lands and convert them to Christianity or slaughter them (*ahem* crusades, inquisitions, etc.).
 
When Jesus asks for workers in the field, he’s not asking for us to convert other people to Christianity (which didn’t exist in his day anyway). He’s asking us to go forth and help people discover the intimate relationship with God that Jesus shows is our birthright. The intimate connection exemplified in him is something Jesus felt God desires with us all. Connection and communion with God, in Jesus' view, is why we were created.
 
Working in the field means we serve the people we go to visit the way Jesus always served the people he visited in the Bible stories. We don’t tell them what they need or what to believe. We go, as Jesus would, with open arms and hearts filled with the desire to serve. We ask, “What can we do for you?” then do our best to help. By so doing, hopefully we bring a little more of God’s love into the world.
 
Prayer: I don’t want to convert anyone to any religion, God, I just want them to be converted by You into a being of love and peace. Your love is real, life changing, and waiting to come alive within every one of us. Make yourself known in our hearts, minds, and souls, today and everyday, and for the rest of our lives. Amen.