I was recently in London for a pastors’ and leaders’ conference. We had profound moments in His presence, just worshipping Jesus in deep surrender and awe. But we also had the opportunity to learn and reset our hearts and affections on Christ alone. It was deep and intimate and transformative for my heart.
While we were there, I learned some incredible truths about what is taking place in the United Kingdom among Gen Z and the younger generations. England specifically has been post-Christian for quite a while. That means Christianity was pulled out of the fabric of all of culture. A generation has grown up without any mention of God. There has been a spiritual drought for far too long. But now the Spirit is awakening this younger generation, and there is a curiosity stirring. They are encountering His presence and are tasting the goodness of the Lord. One pastor told me that the United Kingdom is now considered a pre-Christian nation, as people are becoming curious about Christ. Several have coined the phrase “quiet revival” to describe what is happening in the nation spiritually.
What He’s doing there, He is doing all over the world! And the greatest question from my heart to yours this morning is: Will you be a part of it?
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he 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.’” –Matthew 9:35–38
When I read this Scripture while I was in London, I saw it differently for the first time. Normally, I separate in my mind the portion about Christ’s compassion and His prayer for harvest workers. But it dawned on me that the two are ever connected.
Jesus is looking for those who will be filled with His compassion for the sick, harassed, and helpless and will embody Him and go to them.
Do you remember when Jesus said it was better for Him to go so that we could be filled with the Holy Spirit (John 16:7)? One Savior became multitudes of people filled with the fullness of God, the authority of Christ, and the power of the Spirit! We would be scattered and dispersed all over the world to proclaim the great news of salvation. We would embody His compassion and demonstrate and proclaim the gospel.
There have been significant times when I have been overcome with the compassion of Christ for a lost person bound in sickness or pain. There have been times I have wept for the healing of a fellow saint who needed a touch from God. I have learned over the years that there is a direct correlation between when I am overwhelmed with compassion for someone and Jesus is simultaneously inviting me into a miracle. This feeling of compassion stirs inside of me and becomes a flashing light. I have learned it is because God wants to do something that requires my faith and obedience. Compassion is the signpost or indicator that He wants to move through me. What that looks like is for me to pray for healing for the sick, cast out demons, and proclaim the gospel with boldness.
All over the world, Jesus sees the desperate and bends His ear to the cries of lost, helpless, and harassed people. And His immediate prayer in this passage is to pray that God’s people will go to the harvest fields. How many read this passage and think, “Someone else is called to this; it is not for me.” We are not only to pray that the Lord would send laborers, but we need to pray for the willingness, faith, and obedience of our own hearts. The Church, the Bride, is meant to be the answer to Christ’s prayer!
Would you pray His prayer with open hands and open ears to hear Him say to you, “You go to the harvest; I am calling you.”
Lord, I repent for not taking Your prayer for me seriously. I repent for living “my will be done” and not Yours. I repent for prioritizing my plans and purposes over Yours. I pray that You would do a deep, transformative work of consecration in my own heart so that I can be set apart for Your purposes in this season. Will You give me the desire and courage to walk in faith and obedience to answer the cries of Your heart for the world You died for? Will you make my will pliable in Your nail-pierced hands so that I live according to Your will and not my own? Don’t let me miss out on the plans You have for my life because of my own fear or feelings of inadequacy. Fill me with Your Spirit that I may walk in the power of the fullness of Christ in my life. In the merciful name of Jesus, amen.
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