I saw something intriguing in the Passion Translation of Luke 10.2:

The harvest is huge and ripe. But there are not enough harvesters to bring it all in. As you go, plead with the Owner of the Harvest to drive out into his harvest fields many more workers. (Emphasis mine)

Here’s the footnote on “drive out”:

This is the term used many times in the Gospels for driving out or casting out demons. The Lord of the Harvest must cast them forth.

Maybe that explains why some people MUST go into formal mission work. They are driven to it. Here’s what the Apostle Paul said:

For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9.16, ESV)

Maybe it also explains why more people aren’t involved in mission, even right where they are. We don’t have a labor shortage as many of us have often said. We have a prayer shortage.

Plead with the Owner of the Harvest to drive out into the harvest fields many more workers. (Luke 10.2, Passion Translation)

Then he said to his disciples, “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.” (Matthew 9.37, 38, ESV, emphasis mine)