Watching news of the floods of refugees in the Middle East and the devastation that ISIS and other extremists have brought, Jesus’ words in Matthew 9:36-38 come easily to mind:
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
We are those workers. We are Christ’s representatives to the harassed and helpless of the world. And we are desperately needed.
The crisis in the Middle East has been going on for so long, and we have been deluged with so many stories, many of us are feeling worn out by it. But the opportunity to make an eternal difference has never been so great.
The people of the Middle East are seeking answers. The hate-filled rhetoric and brutal killings are causing millions to reconsider the faith of their ancestors. Many are looking at the message of love in Christ with new eyes. And while we have the option of turning off the news, this physical and spiritual battle is their only reality. We have heard from people like Muhannad.
“I’m 19 [and a] newly recruited soldier. I left my family and my friends and was feeling so alone because they are away from me. I’m so tired of what’s happening around me. Cannot handle the daily tasks of tension, blood shedding, fear and exhaustion anymore.
“I am hearing you talking about forgiving, dealing with pain, and, in another episode, of how I should not depend on any human being to give me security and fulfillment! I need to depend on the Lord only because he gives real peace and real push from inside through his Spirit. Please pray that I would keep my eyes hanging on the Lord and him alone and that my fear would be replaced with assurance that the one who is with me is stronger than who’s against.” —Muhannad
You may not be “out in the field” in person, but through TWR, you are acting in Christ-like compassion toward people who struggle every day to hold onto hope.
Dr Russell Farnworth
Chief Executive Officer, TWR-UK.
