Girl, You're Up!

As I harvested yet another bucket of tomatoes, (by the way, they are coming in quick and thick right now), I thought what a gracious and wonderful gift God has given us in the bounty. With each red beauty I snipped and saved, I couldn't help but think of the full summer harvest that is upon us, so much so that I enlist my husband’s help to carry it all up to the house!

And I thought of us.

I thought of you.

I thought of me.

I thought of us together.

And I thought of Jesus’ words…

(Seeing the crowds) “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.” Mathew 9:37-38

On the heels of the last post, (You’re Thissss Close—click here if you want to get caught up) it was on my heart to write this one. To add some words, to add some thoughts, to clarify a little bit…

Being “used” by God, doesn’t necessarily mean a public forum. You may never write a blog, or speak on a stage, or lead large groups of women. You may..., but then again, you may not. In fact, all of that might not even be your thing. It might not be on your horizon. It might not be what God wants it all to be. But that does’t mean you don’t have a job to do! We all do! Most certainly, we allll do!

As I have often said, “You don’t need to travel the globe to minister, you just need to walk down your hallway.” In other words, those entrusted into your lives need your ministry as much, if not more, than strangers across the world. You are THE most impactful person in another person’s life. If that person lives in your house, or is at your job, or is in the store you shop, or crosses your path for a million different reasons—THEY are your ministry!

You, my friends, are the laborers our Jesus needs!

The harvest is huge! It is many. It is coming in quick and thick, and needs extra hands. The sweet growths of Jesus—when He has softened hearts of others, or put a twinge in their ears to know His grace, or to give words of redemption when in despair, are at the ready…for you!

Your life = ministry!

It doesn’t take a stage to do it. It is in the everyday caring and sharing of the greatness of our Savior with those around you. The impact of pointing others to Jesus IS the harvest!

When we dog-sit our grand fur baby, my husband can often be heard saying to her, “Girl, you’re up!” Why? Because at times of looking over our acre+ of land, the many varmints seen need to be “told” to move on. The dog—well, she’ll do what she naturally is made to do. She just needs to be reminded when she can’t see it herself.

Without implying you are a cute little canine, can I just say, “Girl, you’re up!”

You, my friend, have the job to do for which you were created.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We have a harvest to bring in. The work has been done by our Lord over others, and now he needs us to do the lifting. You were made, for this. You were designed, for this. You are able, for this. Girl, you’re up!

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Sweet Jesus, thank you for the bounty of both the seen and the unseen. Help us to hear our part in your plan. Prepare us for those you have prepared coming into our influence. Bless the ministries of our lives so others see You!

“Holy Spirit, think through me; live through me; love through me.”

From Jesus Always—Sarah Young,