Time is running out
5-4-3-2-1, Bzzzzzzzz. Over and over and over again, my little brother and I would play out “the greatest last-second shot of all time” as we passed the time in our church gym, waiting for our parents. Once in a great while, the “greatest shot” would even go in! It’s one of the best scenes in sports. The clock is counting down, the crowd is anticipating a miracle, and then someone on the floor, or field, or gridiron, or ice, rises to the occasion and puts in the last-second score to win the game!
Jesus tapped into this feeling of urgency when He told His disciples, “Lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest” (John 4:35).
The time is now…or never! Who will rise to the occasion? There is a limited opportunity, a closing window. Who has the late-game nerves for a heroic finish?
Years ago, someone challenged me to view church ministry as a stream. “You probably view your life of ministry like a pond,” he said. “I do?” I said. “I don’t think I’ve ever had that thought!” “Most of us do” he said. “It is our selfish default. We think our responsibility in ministry is to work on our ‘pond’. We stock it, remove the weeds, tend to the beach, build a nice deck and make the most of our ‘pond.’ But ministry isn’t like that. Ministry is more like a river or stream. Most of the people in your life intersect with you for a moment. Most of them are in the fast-moving stream, and your time with them is limited. You might have a few minutes, a few weeks, or a few years. But either way, your time to influence them for the kingdom of Jesus is limited. So, make an impact as soon and as often as you can! Time is running out!”
Harvest time is limited
Is Jesus coming back soon? If so, your time is limited. Are people dying in their sins? Yes, daily (150,000 per day worldwide)! Your opportunity for Gospel influence is closing, and it’s closing fast! Time is marching on for everyone. The older I get, the more I feel it!
Jesus said to His disciples, “The fields are white for harvest.” God is ready. Souls are ready. Time is fleeting. Are you ready?
I grew up in Iowa, so I have seen my fair share of harvests. The truth is, harvesting needs to happen when the crop is ready, even if the time is inconvenient for the farmer. If the farmer waits too long to harvest, the crop will eventually be destroyed by frost, wind, animals, rot, etc. When the crop is ready, a good farmer knows he must get busy! Every Christian has a similar calling. Souls are ready for harvest. Who will go and reap? Now is the right time to introduce people to Jesus!
Don’t give up too early
Years ago, my wife and I went to a Detroit Pistons game with friends. Worried that we would get stuck in traffic, we decided to leave with just a few seconds on the clock and the home team down by 3 with the opponents on the free throw line to seal the game. Just as we reached the exit, we heard the crowd roar. The free throws had been missed, the ball rebounded and thrown full-court into the hoop to put the game into overtime! Needless to say, after apologizing to my friends for missing one of the greatest shots in NBA history, we went back in and watched our Pistons pull off an upset win in overtime!
What’s the point? Don’t give up on the game too early! Time is short, but there are still souls to see changed with the power of the gospel of Christ. The Great Commission is poised for the greatest comeback in history!
Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Brad Stille is the Lead Pastor at First Baptist Church of Wixom, Michigan and serves as an Exchange Trainer. Contact Brad about leading an Exchange Training Event or to discuss this article at [email protected].