“My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.”
John 4:34-38 NLT
Sowing and harvesting are practical enough verbs for us to understand the metaphor Jesus is talking about here. They especially make sense in a place like Indiana where farming is a part of the culture. When we talk about the “mission field” we tend to think far away from our homes and comfort; even when there is a corn field right out our back door. But we don’t always think of the mission field coming to our home. Then the next hurtle is we think we are not equipped: but God has already equipped us each with different gifts. He has given us the tools necessary to go and harvest the fields. So then the question becomes, “What are we waiting for?”
It was “harvest time in Samaria, and the fields were ripe. Jesus, however, had planted seed at the well and now was already reaping the harvest of belief among the Samaritans” (NLT Illustrated Study Bible). John 4:34-28 comes right after Jesus talks to the woman at the well and this was a huge teaching moment for the disciples. He was opening their eyes to not only witness to the Jews and those around them who are alike to them, but also to the foreigners and those who have a different culture than them. For us today that could mean international students, refugees, or the foreigner who is already at your workplace. The harvest is not only in the field but it is also coming to our doorsteps. Greg Swinney who is the director of Crossroads International shares that, “Over 80% of international students in America will never see the inside of an Americans home.” That fact has always broken my heart. Just to think of how much ministry takes place at a dinner table in an American Christian home and just across town at a local university there are over 80% of international students that will never be invited into an Americans home. The harvest is there and ready.
How true are the word of Jesus when he says, “What joy awaits both the planter and harvester alike!” (John 4:36). One of the most amazing things I have been able to learn through working in international ministry is how to use my spiritual gifts. A few years ago I had the opportunity to have coffee with a Japanese student on a weekly basis and I was able to go through part of the New Testament with her. I loved talking with her about the Bible as she was so smart and asked fantastic questions. I loved when she had the moment of realization in becoming angry at the crowd that welcomed Jesus then turned around and wanted him killed a few days later. That was a great conversation where I was able to explain how he needed to go through with that to save us. Even to the specific detail that the crowed would turn on him.
Through that year with her I learned that talking about the Bible with international students is a spiritual gift because of how energized I would become after I would meet with her. I just wanted to talk more and more about the Gospels with her as she soaked it up. Even if she went back to a culture that is not accepting of Christianity, I know I made an impact on her. She told me, once she went back to Japan that she wanted to tell her friends about the Bible and what we talked about. For myself this is when I realized I had more of a spiritual gift for evangelism than I had previously known. I experienced such joy in sharing the Gospel with international students as it reminds me of the joy Jesus refers to in John 4:36. So do we know what our spiritual gifts are and how to use them?
Previously when I worked at Ball State Christian Campus House as the International Ministry Director, we would have Bibles on hand to give away if someone came and didn’t have one. I felt so honored to be able to give such an impactful gift to several of our international students. I gave a Bible to a girl from India and she told me that she went to a Catholic school in India, but they were not allowed to read the Bible by their self. I told her that she could read this one, write notes in it, highlight in it and share it as it is hers. She can do with it what she wished. She was so grateful and enthusiastic! If you ever get the chance to welcome and build a relationship with an international student or international in general, you are in for an incredible experience. It is the little things you will never expect that cling to your heart.
Working with internationals in your country is a mission field where you have the advantage of knowing the culture and the Gospel, and can share both with someone coming to your home town. We need to be the planters and the harvesters. We are all called to share the Gospel and to disciple others. Remember, God is the one that does the hard work in saving people, our job is to guide them to him. Do not be afraid to try your spiritual gifts out by sharing the Good News. If you are not sure about your spiritual gifts then seek guidance and council in talking with someone you would see as a spiritual mentor or minister at your church. Blessings
So let us not become weary in doing good but at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV