Hello! I hope you are doing well! I sure miss you a whole bunch! The Lord revealed some pretty amazing things to me this morning, and I want to share them with you!
Matthew 9:35-38 / And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
When Raul (my very scripturally-sound ministry host) asked me what I thought about this passage, I was immediately saddened and frustrated. I thought about how badly I want to see the harvest here in Romania, and how I feel like I haven’t seen any fruit of my labor. I thought to myself, “I am being obedient to God every single day, I am continually choosing to be His vessel, I am sowing seeds in obedience to my Father. And yet… I see no harvest.” I felt completely stumped and defeated.
I shared all of this with Raul and my squad feeling so defeated. Once I finished sharing, Raul looked at me and begun asking me a series of questions. He asked, “who are the people that Jesus is talking about?” And I replied “they are the ones who are harassed and helpless, they are like sheep without a shepherd.” Raul then asked, “what does Jesus say right afterwards?”, I answered “the harvest is plentiful.”
Just like I did in this moment, you might be asking yourself right now, “how are there only lost people, yet the harvest is plentiful at the same time?” You see, that is the point.
Jesus’ view of the harvest is the lost people in need.
Jesus didn’t see the harvest as evangelical fruit, He saw the harvest as all of the lost people who were hearing about Him.
Our ministry hosts have told us that only 2% of citizens in Craiova, Romania are born again believers. That leaves 98% percent. That 98% is the harvest. They are the lost sheep.
There is so much harvest here in Romania!!
When the Holy Spirit convicted me of this I fell on my face in awe and repentance.
I prayed, “God, how did I miss this?! I am so sorry that I overlooked all of the harvest that you have put before me, please forgive me Father! You have provided an abundant harvest! Thank you, Father!!”
I know that many of you are picking up your cross daily for the sake of the Gospel. I urge you, do not stop. He has placed an abundant harvest in front of you. That is something to rejoice in!!
Let’s begin viewing the harvest as Jesus views it!! Join me in praying, “Father, please give me your vision!”
I am praying for you! Keep fighting the good fight! He is with you!
– Emalani <3
