Small beginnings

Jesus told them another parable: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man takes a mustard seed and plants it in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows up, it is the biggest of all plants. It becomes a tree, so that birds come and make their nests in its branches.’ (verses 31,32)

Read Matthew 13:31-35

It’s easy as a Christian to become discouraged these days. But Jesus’ words are as encouraging for us today as they were for the people of his time. It’s as though he’s saying, ‘Don’t be discouraged. You are so few at the moment. But God is much greater than you are. He will plant his seeds in the right place, so they can grow and become effective in the lives of people all over the world.’

The film Pay It Forward showed how a small boy’s love can spread all over a nation. How much more is our Creator able to infiltrate the whole world with his love through us.

Don’t be discouraged by feeling that your contribution to God’s work is only a drop in the ocean. Give it to God and trust that he can use these small beginnings to achieve great things.

Thank you, God, for showing me that from little things big things grow. Make me faithful in playing my part. Amen.

by Julie Hahn, in ‘Refreshment for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2003)

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