Why Even Try?

Mathew 9:35-38

There are so many people, so much need, and so few resources. If you and I were faced with the crowds that Jesus saw before Him, we probably would have given up. No amount of love and food would have been enough to meet their needs, so why even try?

Jesus saw the crowds; harassed and helpless and His first impulse was not hopelessness, but compassion, not just on the crowds before Him, but also on all humanity. The first thing He tells His disciples (and us) to do is pray.

Prayer is primary because only God is big enough to do the impossible. Only God, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, can marshal the resources and the people – especially the people – necessary to care for the helpless and the harassed. Prayer is not the last resort, it is the first. It is not something to be done instead of compassion; it is the beginning of compassion. Jesus’ heart goes out to the lost ones, so He prays.

Prayer is the beginning of compassion but not the end of it. True prayer comes from love and leads to more love, active love. Those who pray authentically are always ready to be the answer to the prayer they have prayed. Jesus urged the disciples to pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out workers, and in the very next verse (10.1), He equipped them to go out and be the workers they prayed would come.

Prayer comes from compassion and leads to hope. It opens our eyes to see the possibilities. We see a multitude of lost and needy people. God sees a harvest of souls for eternal life. To pray with Jesus for the lost is to put our love and hope to work.

My prayer: Lord of the harvest, Shepherd of the sheep, because of your great love, please send your people to love those who are helpless and lost. In your name I pray. Amen.

Just like the violent winds and floods caused by Hurricane Katrina with all its horrendous destruction, once more the Gulf Coast is being unmercifully attacked by the enemy. This time it is the great oil spill that is harassing not only God’s chosen people but those who are helpless and lost. Please pray with me as a body of believers that the eyes and hearts of our leaders and those who the Lord can use as vessels to fix this situation use Godly wisdom to make decisions that will give humanity hope and will turn what seems to be an impossible task around. Pride breaks down, compassion builds up. My question to you is, “Why even try?” It is simple, but true, “Until the Lord comes and takes us to be with Him, we need to be reminded that if we all do even the smallest something, it will make a difference in someone else’s life”. “There is a kingdom to build and a harvest to reap”. (Matthew 16:18-19).

Sincerely,
Bonnie