Chapter 7 – The Workers are Still Few

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating and various kinds of tongues.

1 Corinthians 13:3 (ESV)

Sometimes you get to a chapter that is not for you. And it’s right in the middle of the book. And you think, “I should go back and concentrate on the last chapter,” because it was obviously for you. But it’s a book and you generally read it from cover to cover.

This chapter goes beyond the convert. This chapter goes beyond the disciple. This chapter reaches to the worker. I had no idea there was such a thing. It does a lovely job of explaining it without making the rest of us feel insignificant.

Not everyone is called to the same job. We are a body with many members. A body with 50 eyes and 1 leg would see everything, but get nothing done. I have spent many hours, weeks here, reading about the creative call. This is a heavenly calling – the desire to imitate God the Creator, one of the many facets of being made in His image.

For those who wish to imitate Christ, you have the calling of Worker. It’s not enough to lead and disciple, but you must multiply. You must make more of you. More people who will not only lead and disciple, but create more workers. Workers share their lives with the few who evidence the same calling in order to duplicate themselves.

Again. I had no idea. It’s like a secret society of which I’ve never had a glimpse.

I can see where missionaries go abroad and they find a native who not only converts and is strong in discipleship, but begins to work hard alongside the missionary. Before long, the native is the disciple/worker who continues the work when the missionary moves on.

I guess I’ve never seen it explained before. I guess I didn’t realize that anyone was working towards that. I’ve seen the pattern; I suppose I thought it was natural? How often does it occur stateside? I don’t see it locally. I think it is dying… Very much like the theory that we’re one generation from losing our religion. If we don’t teach our children, who will?

For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
Colossians 4:13 (ESV)