We must focus on the situation our world is in and its great need for the Gospel more than ever – “Look and see the world.” It’s not just a round ball that people live on. Jesus says to “Look and see the harvest” and what God is doing in the lives of others. God is still in the saving business and lives are being changed all around the world as He works through faithful, dedicated servants. While we see the harvest, perhaps we should also “Look and see ourselves” and what God is doing in our lives. He has a plan for each of us to participate in sharing the Gospel with every creature. And then “Look and see the Lord” and Who He is. He is the Lord of the Harvest and he leads us to accomplish this great task He has given us.

When you “Look and see the world” do you see it the way God sees it? God has so much compassion for it He gave His only Son to die for the world. Now that is unbelievable love and compassion. He saw them as sheep having no shepherd, in the dark, without direction, lost in their sins.

What about the “ripe harvest?” People are searching for truth and are trying everything they can to find that peace and to fill their emptiness. We need to look around at the harvest and respond as Paul told the Philippians. They didn’t wait for someone else to do the job or be the answer – they responded on their own. They gave and continued to give without hesitation – Phil 4:10,15.  As we see the harvest, we cannot afford to wait but respond by praying, going and giving so other may go to the regions beyond.

I am reminded about the Philippians and how they cared for Paul as he did his missionary work. Times were not always easy for Paul and for those who prayerfully and financially supported him. In those tight situations, both Paul and his supporters did what they had to in order to get the Gospel out. I think we can all agree our times our volatile at best, with as much uncertainty as there was in those days. 

When we consider what is going on around us with the economic situation in the US, let alone in the entire world, the pandemic crisis bringing so many unknowns, the rise in cost of living and goods around the world, one can get discouraged and come to the point of wondering if there is any hope in reaching our world for Christ. Do we have what it takes, and should we stay with it or just give in? Well, let’s take Paul’s advice to the Philippians to heart and stay on task — sharing the Gospel around the world by looking at our world and seeing the great harvest and by looking at ourselves and seeing what we can do with God’s help to accomplish the task – Phil 4:13.