Family Business: Called to Labor for the Harvest
By Stephen Womack
The summer of 1987, I had just—miraculously—graduated high school. Standing in my dad’s kitchen in Georgia, my stepmom and dad asked, “So, what are you going to do with your life now?”
In my mind, the answer was simple: live with them! Free food and a place to stay sounded like a great plan. But I knew that would not fly. Then I remembered we had once discussed that I could move to Texas and work under my grandfather, who owned a produce farm. Thinking the timing was perfect, I picked up the phone and called him. To my surprise, he said he didn’t need me. That door slammed shut.
But another door opened—I joined the Navy. I served my country, and later, I was called by my heavenly Father to serve in His field (as I know we all are now, even you). I’ll never forget a moment in 1992, descending into Jacksonville after a leaving the Navy from Egypt. As I looked out the window, I heard the Holy Spirit speak: “The harvest is plentiful.” That word from God planted a vision in my heart that burns brighter than ever today. For a eason I had thought I had missed my assigment. Now, through a lot of heartache, self and demonic inflicted wounds we are rooted and settled raising laborers for the Family Business of the Kingdom.
About Our Father’s Business
Jesus said at age twelve, “Did you not know I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). That one statement reveals the core of who we are. We’re not just saved to sit—we’re called to serve. We are sons and daughters on assignment.
Many of you reading this have been planted here by God, not by accident. Your spiritual journey, your gifts, your story—they all matter. And together, we’re growing into the image of Christ.
But how does that growth begin?
Growth Starts with the Word
“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.” —1 Peter 2:2
Psalm 1 reminds us that who we listen to and where we’re planted matters. There’s a lot of ungodly “counsel” in the world—bad advice, toxic voices, destructive environments. I call it bar stool, alley talk, and broken bottle wisdom. It’s not from God, and it’ll derail your destiny.
Psalm 1:2-3 says the one who delights in the Word and meditates on it will be like a tree planted by rivers of living water, bringing forth fruit in season.
That’s what I call spiritual water.
Get Hungry and Grow Up
I used to want God’s blessings without putting His Word first. But when I finally got serious—when I sought Him with all my heart—He showed up every time.
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” —James 4:8
The more I experienced His presence, the more I realized—nothing else satisfies. Like Moses, I said, “God, I thank You for Your hand, but I need Your face.”
That hunger grows us up. We’re born again as lambs, but we’re called to become mature sheep—sons and daughters who can hear the voice of the Shepherd.
“My sheep hear My voice, and a stranger they will not follow.” —John 10:27
Maturity Is Discerning the Spirit
As we grow, we begin to hear and follow God in deeper ways. We stop chasing every voice or running from person to person looking for answers. Instead, we lean into the Holy Spirit within us, who teaches and leads.
Jesus said the Spirit would guide us into all truth (John 14:26), and 1 Corinthians 2 tells us that the Spirit searches the deep things of God and reveals them to us.
When we live from that place, we’re no longer ruled by fear, confusion, or outside pressure. We live by the Kingdom within.
The Other “Family Business”
But don’t forget—there’s another family business operating in the background. The kingdom of darkness has its own strategy: to distract, deceive, and destroy. But greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.
We are in a spiritual war. That’s why 2 Timothy 2:4 reminds us not to get entangled in the world’s affairs but to live as soldiers of Christ.
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child... but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” —1 Corinthians 13:11
Some of us have been in church for decades but are still on the spiritual bottle. I was there once. God told me, “If you’d learn to read what I’ve already written on your heart, you wouldn’t have to run everywhere for answers.”
That’s what maturity looks like—trusting God within.
Finish Strong
It’s not about how you start. It’s about how you finish.
Each of us has a gift. Romans 12:6 says to use it. The gifts of the Spirit are not just for Sunday services—they are tools for warfare and love, to help people and push back darkness.
We are laborers in the harvest field. We are deliverers, restorers, and messengers of hope. God is even now healing wounds, breaking chains, and freeing hearts—starting with us.
This is the Family Business.
And you’re invited to work the field.
Final Thoughts
If you’re reading this and you’ve felt disqualified, discouraged, or distant—let me remind you: it’s not too late. God uses people with broken pasts to build His glorious future. The same Jesus who met me in a plane over Egypt is the same Jesus calling your name today.
So plant yourself by the water.
Get into the Word.
Grow hungry.
And get back to the Family Business.
Love Pastor Steve & Selfiah