Very Truly Volunteers

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.—John 12:24

 “It’s a jungle out here!” my mother called, approaching my back deck.  “Jungle” was a good word for my overzealous overflowing tomato plants that are more like thriving trees. They have overtaken my flower beds, subduing rose bushes, camouflaging shrubs, and now running up both sides of the steps, depositing a red-ripe harvest right on my doorstep.

Amazed at my abundant garden, all my visitors ask, “What’s your secret?”  But the truth is nothing.  I did absolutely nothing.  No planting, no fertilizing—nothing. The plants are products of nature called volunteers.  Last year rotten tomatoes fell to the ground, and the seeds replanted themselves, producing an even greater harvest this year.  Now I have more tomatoes than I could ever eat!  And gathering them is also a challenge.  Many are ripe but difficult to reach. I lean over luxuriant leaves, being careful not to break them, and stretch as far as I can in order to reach those beneath the edge of the deck. Others grow in and around angry rose bushes that attack with vicious thorns when I approach the plump rubies. 

As I eyed this morning’s triple-basket boon, I knew it was well-worth the effort.  I beamed as a slung a basket over my arm and opened the kitchen door.  My next task would be washing off the “jungle” that still clung to some of my precious produce.

My volunteers remind me of those who volunteer for the Lord.  In answer to the Lord’s call, “Whom shall I send?”, these selfless individuals spring to their feet with an enthusiastic “Here am I.  Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)  Ready and willing to go wherever the Lord leads— to the jungle or “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), many leave loved ones behind and set out on a missionary journey with meager belongings, having sold most of what they’ve owned to help finance their mission.  They toil in treacherous territory, living among angry dangerous thorns, but labor nonetheless to reach the lost. And if the truth be said, many have even given their lives so others may live.

I can’t imagine how pleased the Lord must be when his volunteers usher in a harvest—right up the steps to their eternal home. But there is more work to be done.  Jesus “said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” (Matthew 9:37-38)

Today we will celebrate Missions Sunday in our church. Let us pray for more workers.  Let us pray for those who are already in the field.  And let us volunteer to do our part.  Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) This is a command to all Christians.  Let us consider how we may obey.  What's in our nature? Sharing the good news with those we live among or sharing our resources so others may “go”—even if it means stretching the budget as far as we can?  Obedience to whatever or however the Lord leads will be well-worth the effort—and the sacrifice. 

Dear Lord, thank You for missionaries on foreign soil and those who serve close by.  May I be obedient to Your command in supporting them and sharing Your good news wherever You lead.  If You can use me, Lord, here am I, Your volunteer! I know that I’m not perfect and that some of the jungle still clings to me. But one day may I be worthy of the calling, “trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3) Amen.