During the last four years, one could not help but notice at least one of the following signs in the windows, on the doors, even in neon: HELP WANTED, NOW HIRING, ENQUIRE WITHIN. Of a truth, Covid-19 was the initial cause for the job market, but the signs are still around, if not quite as prevalent.
This observation turned my thoughts toward the subject of a Wednesday evening lesson. As I ruminated upon the content, my teaching background kicked in: a picture tells a thousand words. There are quite a few teachers who worship here at our local body of Christ, so I realize they know the power of good, applicable audio-visual aids.
Thus, I eagerly went to my area stores seeking those very signs mentioned above to really get my point across. Ruefully, I found GARAGE SALE, BEWARE OF DOG, FOR RENT, KEEP OUT, even the ubiquitous OPEN-CLOSED flip signs, but not one of the ones I sought.
Eventually I went to a signature sign store which specialized in posters, banners, even t-shirts. But when I made my request, I was told they did not have any! I asked if this was because the demand was so great only to be told the manufacturers had to close because of the lack of workers!
As Christians, we can relate to these times. Our Savior tells us the fields are ripe for harvesting: John 4:35—”Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” Jesus says again in Matt.9:37—”Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.’” Mark 4:29 tells us the harvest is at hand. Saints, it is time we ask ourselves the question posed by the words of an old gospel song: “Are you sewing the seeds of the Kingdom brother?”
When we look around today, we can see not only the aforementioned three signs but even omnipresent the signs of sadness, rage, grief, loneliness, desperation. These are signs showing in the lives of people we have contact with every day—relatives, fellow employees, salespeople, secretaries, neighbors, old friends.
Another one from the hymn book comes to mind: “We’ll work til Jesus comes.” Therefore, let us put our hands to the plow and never look back. We can offer these sinful seekers assurance of peace here as well as that peace to come: “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life”–Rev. 21:27. Keep in mind II Pet. 3:4—”The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” All means all. God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34— “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive God shows no partiality.”
Christianity is a daily walk. When we put on Christ, we then have a permanent job. If we are still on the job as we should be when we shuffle off this mortal coil, heaven will be ours: “Because you have kept “my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on earth.”—Rev. 2 10. Jesus is NOW HIRING. Open your bibles and ENQUIRE WITHIN.
Larry Purkey