It is amazing the difference a perspective can make! Jesus’ disciples saw a closed community, resistant to the Gospel. Jesus viewed the same community as wide open and ripe for a harvest. Who was right? Jesus of course.
At times we can look for the wrong things when trying to determine how close the harvest is. We can be deceived by peoples’ outward appearance and behavior. We can focus on numbers. We can check our finances. We can pay too much attention to our critics. Eventually we can conclude that the place where we serve is far from being ready for a great work of God to occur. But the truth is that we never know the truth of our situation until we have heard from Jesus.
Jesus was one conversation away from a widespread revival. It was far closer than the disciples could have imagined. And, it was among a people who had seemed far from God with little hope of being brought near.
Are you currently praying for God to do a fresh work in someone’s life? Are you longing for revival for your church or community? Take heart. The harvest may be nearer than you think.