Last night was community group, and our particular topic of discussion was teaching.  We were reading James 3:1-2, and in this particular passage James actually tells believers that not many should be teachers.  His rationale is actually pretty valid:  some shouldn’t because they will struggle with pride, some shouldn’t represent the gospel because their life doesn’t reflect it (yet), and some shouldn’t because their lack of theology would make them misrepresent the gospel (which we see all too often).

Although this passage is showing who shouldn’t teach, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to call for leaders in our group.  Currently we are around 25 people, and if you’ve ever seen my living room – it’s not an auditorium.  Some weeks we have every chair that we own out and people cuddling together on the couch just to fit everyone.  One time I even pulled out large plastic bins out of my closet for seats, and prayed that the lids wouldn’t collapse.

Going into this week, I thought it was going to be that kind of week.  I prayed that God would convict people in the group to look around and consider starting another group so that the size would go down a bit and more people would be able to join both groups.  This wasn’t because I’m tired of my house being full, but because I want people to feel loved and supported, I want new people to be able to join and not feel like they are forgotten. I prayed over Matthew 9:37-38:

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

Then, the night comes around and around 10 people show up.  In my mind, I’m a bit disappointed – wondering why on the week about teaching we don’t have all 25.

Yet God showed me as the night rolled on that the smaller group meant I could see how God is currently answering my prayer. Instead of giving a clear “teacher”, he showed me how exactly he is currently sending out laborers into his harvest.

Just last night, 3 people spoke up and said in the last week they had a conversation about their faith with someone they work with.  2 of them actually were able to pray with those people.

When I heard this, I stopped in my tracks and just thanked God.  He always knows how to use his people.  He is working in them, and working through them.  I get a chance to watch this happen. I get a chance to see people be changed by God. I get the chance to watch one disciple make disciples.

I am so thankful that God knows what he is doing, and the evidence was crystal clear this week.  I am so thankful that he works despite me.