Anyone who loves Jesus, loves the Church, and loves the lost wants to make his or her life count for Christ. But sometimes we can become so full of knowledge, strategies, and statistics about the needs and opportunities out there, that we don’t know where to begin!

Matthew 9:35-38 tells us that "Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples,“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Take a look at the passage above. In it, we see four keys to ensuring your life has a revolutionary impact for Christ.

1. See as Jesus saw

When Jesus looked at the crowds, he didn’t just see a clamoring group of people who were about to demand even more of his time and energy. He looked beyond the surface and realized they were spiritually depressed and downcast. They had a spiritual hunger, and he offered to satisfy it. When you look out at the world today — your neighborhood, your community, your country — what do you see? Ask the Lord to help you see the world as he sees it.

2. Feel as Jesus felt

Once you begin to view the world through the eyes of Christ, it’s only natural that you will begin to share his feelings about the world as well. When Jesus saw the crowds, he was moved to compassion for them. He felt people’s suffering. His heart was broken. Are you moved to compassion when you look at the world today? What breaks your heart? How about asking God what breaks his heart? Ask him to share his heart with you.

3. Pray as Jesus prayed

Jesus was saddened when he saw how much the people were suffering, but he wasn’t discouraged. Instead, he asked God to send his workers to work in the harvest field, knowing his Father was greater than any problem we face. When was the last time you asked God to do this, to send workers into the harvest field? Or, more pointedly, when was the last time you asked God to send you into the harvest field? This is a risky prayer — God just might answer it! But if you’re not willing to go, do you really think it’s right to ask God to send others?

4. Do as Jesus did

Jesus didn’t just ask God to send workers, he got involved himself. He saw the crowds, his heart was moved to compassion, and he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. Are you willing to get involved like this? Ministering to others is messy work. Thus, many of us put forward a number of excuses: “It’s too risky.” “What if people make fun of me?” “I’m too old.” “I don’t have enough money.” “I don’t have enough time.” “I’m afraid.” But no excuse is big enough to disqualify you from doing the work of Christ. You’re never too young, too old, too poor, too rich, too busy, or too fearful to serve God, because his Spirit within you will give you all the resources you need to obey. All God requires is a willing heart. If you give him that, he’ll take things from there.


Photo Credit: Ben White