heart & soul
“ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples,‘ The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” Matthew 9:36-38
As the crowds described in Matthew 9, people today are desperate for help, hope and peace. Whether they know to turn to the Lord or not, their desire for assurance in our ever-changing world often leads them to the doors of Christian retailers like you. Through your retail presence, you are perfectly positioned to be the hands and feet of Jesus, leading them to the Good Shepherd. Today’ s harvest truly is plentiful, and you surely long to help, yet if you’ re not careful, your desire to labor for the glory of God can tip over into a“ we must do more” compulsion.
The drive to be productive— even when it’ s for Kingdom purposes— can become an idol that threatens to rob us of our effectiveness, our ability to deliver quality service, and even our peace. And while we don’ t want to operate under such a threat, our minds immediately start trying to figure out how:
• How do you recognize the tendency to overwork and set clear boundaries?
• How do you stop striving in your own strength and trust the Lord with the outcomes?
• How do you not let your heart for helping become a burden, leaving you“ weary and heavy laden”?
• How do you keep Jesus at the center without the weight of customer engagement, retail buying decisions and the bottom line overwhelming you?
The answer is found in operating from the foundation of His rest, based on Matthew 11:28-30:
“ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV continued on page 18 >>
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