How to Relate to a Man God Can Shape -Listening to Others - Listening to the Voice of God

“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers in his harvest” (Matt 9:37-38 Christian Standard Bible). Jesus shared these words with his disciples upon walking among the crowds of people and possessing a deep compassion for them, he likened them to like sheep without a shepherd. Upon which he said, pray for ministry workers. Just as Jesus had a deep compassion for others, as modern day Christians, we too, should possess hearts of benevolence. We are to take action and pray for workers and encourage those considering ministry as a vocation to pray for discernment and direction.

As we pray to God, we heighten our sense of awareness, and cause ourselves to become more observant of those in our midst who exhibit the attributes, strengths and heart for ministry. It is through our prayers for God to work, we begin to see him demonstrate his work in the hearts and minds of others. This is where we begin to witness the evidence of God’s work through our prayers and how he speaks. It is important to realize God may be speaking through you!

Paul wrote: “According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom 12:6-8).

God speaks through his Scripture and he speaks through preachers and teachers whose source is his Word. This is why it is essential for pastors and teachers on a regular basis to call for ministry workers. It requires responsible leadership to grow the church, and to stir the hearts of fellow disciples to consider ministry. This is an essential role as part of the leader’s assignment to inspire and to share the Savior’s desire to send out workers in the harvest. As a leader speaks, a hearer listens, as a hearer listens to the Scripture, he doesn’t necessarily hear the speaker, but the voice of God. This is why a teacher should teach, a preacher should preach to herald his Word, so the voice of Jesus may be heard. And, as a hearer’s listens, he realizes God needs him, God needs him as a worker, he needs him to go!

As one heralds the word from a pulpit, teaches in classroom, or engages in one-on-one conversation, God is at work! He speaks through his Holy Spirit. Jesus said to his followers, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit speaks through the Word, causing the heart of a believer to be impacted to acknowledge the great need required for the harvest causing the hearer to say “Yes!” This is witnessed in the Book of Acts, “As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2). The work of the Holy Spirit was evidenced in the lives of not only Paul and Barnabas, but also the men worshiping, fasting and praying. The impact of the Holy Spirit was not only upon the two men to go, however, the senders who no doubt, although not recorded, must have prayed many prayers and poured wisdom and knowledge into the lives of Paul and Barnabas. They would have listened to the men, but more importantly to the Holy Spirit.

So what about you? Who is has God placed upon your path? Is there a man or multiple men who possess special qualities or holds a desire in their heart which is so clear, so evident, it is undeniable God is calling them. It is important to be mindful, God doesn’t call the equipped, but equips the called. As a leader, like the men noted in Acts 13:1, who are praying with Paul and Barnabas, to be cognizant and to listen, to listen to others, but most important the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah experienced the presence of the Lord in the temple as noted in Isaiah chapter six, the Lord called Isaiah and he listened, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking: Who should I send? Who will go for us? I said: Here I am. Send me” ( Isa 6:8).

In 1868, Daniel March wrote these words in a hymn:

Hark! the voice of Jesus crying,

"Who will go and work today?

Fields are white and harvests waiting,

Who will bear the sheave away?

Loud and long the Master calleth,

Rich reward He offers thee;

Who will answer, gladly saying,

"Here am I, send me, send me!”

What is God calling you to do? And is there a man whom God needs you to listen to their voice, so he too, may say the words, “Here am I, send me, send me!”