Step Into Your Harvest

Recently Sharon Daugherty, one of my mentors, and I were discussing how many generals of the faith have transitioned into eternity in the last few years. During that time, the body of Christ on Earth has lost Bill Bright, Derek Prince, Kenneth (Papa) Hagin and many other powerful men and women of God. Of course, their homegoing has left a vacuum to be filled.

Before Moses died, God had begun to prepare Joshua to take his place. As Elijah approached the end of his life, Elisha stepped in and caught his mantle. God never allows Himself to be without a witness or vessel.

But how many of us are willing to answer His call and take our places in His kingdom? How many are willing to pay the price to do what He asks of us?

I was privileged to be mentored by Daisy Osborne, wife of T.L. Osborne. What a general of our time! She and the many other generals who have gone before us have given us a priceless legacy to build upon.

Part of that legacy is godly character. Though we live in an age in which immorality runs rampant, we are called to live lives, as they did, that are founded on biblical principles.

The other part is an undying passion for souls and a desire to reap a great harvest for God. If there is anything we can learn from our spiritual forebears, it is to keep focused on the supreme task of expanding the kingdom.

We are called to be co-laborers with Him, not to build our own names or ministries! He has a plan for our lives that was established before time began. He has orchestrated the seasons of our lives and numbered our days. He has positioned us in the kingdom for such a time as this. His infinite foreknowledge allows Him to know where to place us at a specific time.

THE TASK WE FACE No other generation has ever had to face the challenges of our age–terrorism, same-sex marriages, ethnic cleansing, drug trafficking, partial birth abortions–to the degree that we do. Global politics are not as they were in the past century. The face of our world is rapidly changing, and the task before us is clear.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are more than 50 million dispersed refugees around the world seeking shelter, and the majority of those are women and children. In developing nations, especially in the 10/40 Window, 80 percent of the suffering and dehumanization is targeted toward women and children.

If ever there has been a time for enlistment by the Master it is now! He is saying to us, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, “Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech” (Is. 32:9). He has heard the cries of His people who are oppressed and is recruiting deliverers.

When the children of Israel cried out to Him regarding the oppression of the Egyptians, he sent them Moses (see Ex. 3:9-10). When they sought Him about the oppression of Jabin, king of Canaan, He sent them Deborah, prophetess and judge (see Judg. 4). When Mordecai learned that Haman had drafted a decree in King Ahasuerus’ name to destroy all the Jews, God sent Esther to petition the king to revoke the decree (see Esth. 3-8).

Proverbs 31:8-9 (The Amplified Bible) declares: “Open your mouth for the dumb [those unable to speak for themselves], for the rights of all who are left desolate and defenseless; open your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the poor and needy.” As women in this generation, we can’t be content with auxiliary tea parties, fashion shows or other programs. We can’t waste our time and energy seeking titles or positions.

A clarion call has gone out from heaven provoking women to rise up as laborers. A changing of the guard is taking place, and the baton is being passed to us to impact our families, our nation and the world. We must become the ones who raise the standard.

Women are needed on the forefront as never before because the global needs around the world affect women and children the most. Eighty percent of the population in the 10/40 Window is women and children, and the majority do not have access to proper health care and education.

Worldwide, more than 130 million children have never entered a classroom. In Sudan, only 2 percent of 7.5 million children complete primary school. Gang rapes and the devaluing of women are the biggest challenges for most women in developing countries.

In Pakistan, 42 percent of children are anemic, and many are sold into servitude by their parents. In Angola, young girls between the ages of 5 and 8 are sold into prostitution by their fathers. Most women between the ages of 15 and 49 in this African country have never heard of HIV or AIDS because of the lack of AIDS awareness programs.