“Ask the Lord of the harvest… to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matt 9:38 NIV)

“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Cor 15:58 NIV)

I think one of the things we forget as Christians is that this is actually supposed to be work. How often do we give up on what we’re doing or avoid getting started because of how much work is involved?

Following Christ is a lot of hard work.

And let’s be honest. A lot of times we’re trying to find another way. We often look for the minimum when God commands the maximum.

We want faith without works… Christ without the cross… pleasure without pain… and the harvest without workers.

But Jesus called it work and he called those who participate in it, workers. How often do we attempt to follow Jesus while avoiding the work?  Have we gotten a little soft?  When the going gets tough, do we stop going?

God never meant for following him to be easy. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” He promised us trouble and told us there would be work. He also told us that the workers are few. (Luke 10:2)

Are you one of the few?

Are you a consumer or a producer?  Are you a life taker or a life giver?

Are you a worker?

The Father has a field with a harvest that’s plentiful, but he’s looking for workers.

It’s hard. It’s tiring. Many times it’s not rewarding in this life.

But He’s worth it.

Let’s stop whining, stop making excuses, and stop avoiding it because it’s a lot of work. Let’s toughen up and persevere.

Let’s be workers.

(Image Credit: National Library of Ireland on The Commons)