WHAT’S THE BIG HOLDUP?

Do you like to move slowly or quickly? Most of us have been caught sitting in traffic, and it definitely tests our patience, but as Christians sometimes we also get impatient. Perhaps we look at the world around us and wonder why Jesus hasn’t returned. We wonder if the world has to keep getting darker and darker before He comes back. What is God waiting on? The answer can be found in the Word of God. In fact, Jesus answered this question in Matthew 24:14. “And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

As the season begins to change and we feel the temperatures getting cooler, so it is in the Kingdom of God. Fall of the year surely brings harvest. The farmer patiently waits for the fruit and crops to ripen, and then he knows it is time for harvest. Likewise, Jesus is patiently waiting for the ripened, mature fruit. James 5:7 in the Message Bible says, “Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master’s Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time.” You see, God is not slow; He is patient. He waits for each one to repent. He waits for those who are His children to grow and mature. We are not waiting on God; He is waiting on us. “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent.” (II Peter 3:9 NLT)

Jesus is all about the harvest, but He can’t get the harvest in until we are ripe. God sends the rain and snow to water the earth so that it produces. It is the same with His Word. He sends it forth to produce fruit. God’s Word always accomplishes that which He pleases, and His Word will always prosper and produce. (Isaiah 55:10-11 NKJ) The Kingdom of God is all about increase, fullness, and growth.

If we are not growing, maturing, and heading toward ripening and harvest, we must evaluate our lives. If we are not getting enough of the Word of God, our growth can be stunted. Perhaps we lack the rain of God’s presence. Maybe the cares of this life are choking us. We need to pay careful attention, for if we cannot grow, God cannot use us. All of us must grow spiritually. We are the precious fruit of the earth. If we stop growing, we can block the move of God. Eventually, if we fail to grow, someone else might take our place.

Everything on this earth needs rain to live. The Kingdom of God is no different. The Holy Ghost is that rain in the Spirit realm, and it is the Body of Christ that controls the rain. God uses His church to pour out, but Jesus said the laborers are few. There has never been a shortage of work in God’s Kingdom, just a shortage of workers. (Matthew 9:37) When Jesus Himself was here upon the earth He trained disciples to one day take His place, and they, in turn, trained others. Ephesians 4:11-12 explains why God anoints pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets, and apostles. It is for “ the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Training starts with leadership; leadership then will train others. God desires mature saints!

As today was “Back to School Sunday,” our hearts turned to the children, the next generation. We must not live only in the now. We must prepare for the future. We must always remember those who will one take our place in the Body of Christ and carry on the work that Jesus started. We are here for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14, II Timothy 2:1-2) We are here to bring others into the Kingdom and train the next generation.

God wants to use us. He is waiting for the precious fruit of the earth, but that fruit must ripen before it can be harvested, for unripe fruit is not pleasant. God wants us to grow up and train others for the Master’s use. God needs mature Christians to bring in His harvest before His return. So, what’s the big holdup?