We like to identify ourselves as servants of God, but do we understand the meaning of this title? The Lord sends us out into the field to tend the cattle or work in the production of food. Then, when we return home, He invites us to sit at the table so that He can renew our strength, not so that we can prepare His supper. Our heavenly Father is completely different!

We are sent into the Lord’s harvest with the goal of producing food, working through the many stages required in this process, from plowing the land to preparing it for sowing, taking the necessary precautions against pests and other factors that can harm the crop, such as lack or excess of water, temperature variations, and pollution. When the cycle of field production is completed, we reap the fruit of divine goodness and see the results.

In the mission field, there are other important works for the Kingdom of God, such as the ministry of the workers. They take care of the flock and are sent to make our mission something great. Even if they do not have much experience, they are soon noticed for the way they deal with people. This group ensures that no harm comes to the Lord’s work and therefore must be trained to carry it out properly.

The work of planting and harvesting begins with preparing the soil and does not end with the harvest of crops, for there are other seeds to be sown at the right time. The Church of Christ that does not maintain its fields throughout the year will have nothing to harvest in summer or winter. There is a time for everything, so those who manage the Creator's farm must be attentive to His instructions.

God's work is done in the field, and after finishing it, we must return to the house of the Most High. So what should we do? Wait for new instructions! Those who do not surrender themselves to the Lord so that He may guide them continually will face temptations that can turn them into poor stewards. A house full of problems shows that those in charge have not been watching over it. An open door gives the devil an opportunity to carry out evil.

The Lord will not yet say to us, “Come and sit at the table forever,” because our mission is not over. One day, He will come to take us to His Kingdom when His work on Earth is finished. When we feel that there is much work to be done, we should look to the example of those who lived with Joshua, who died at the age of 110. The elders knew they could not die early because they needed to teach the newcomers to do what God required of them, so they lived longer (Joshua 24:29-31).

After finishing our meals, we must clean the kitchen and put away the utensils, then give our tired bodies a well-deserved rest, and the next day, we start our work again. In the spiritual realm, while we are on Earth, there is no reason for breaks. The Lord will help us in everything with pleasure and wisdom!

         In Christ, with love,

         R. R. Soares