Jesus says in Mark 4:30-32 “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade.”

The Kingdom of God is compared to a mustard seed. Though the seed may seem small and insignificant when it is planted, it produces a large harvest. A humble beginning does not indicate that change and growth are not coming—the list of things that start small and grow would be comprehensive. Little things often have an impact out of proportion to their initial size. Jesus says that the Kingdom seems small and inconsequential, yet the transformation that it brings has a never-ending effect.

At times we wonder if anything is happening; things seem slow as if nothing is happening. It seems everyone wants to go from planting the seed to harvest. Our day is a day of instant and quick results. If something does not happen and happens quickly, we lose interest and move on to something else.

I started both of my first two pastorates with less than twenty people. If you had stopped in during the early days at those places, it would not have seemed very promising. In each area, lives were transformed. Did things happen overnight, not necessarily, but things did happen.

Waiting has been a challenging task for people since the beginning of time. Waiting is seen as something passive and reminds me of the fact that there are things in life out of my control. Waiting, as described in the Bible, is not passive but active! Waiting times are times for prayer, as well as a time to develop patience and calmness. Clarity is a by-product of waiting, as well as I learn to trust God even when I do not understand, and even when I see no possible resolution.

The farmer is used as an illustration. The farmer does not sow the seed and then pull it out every hour and every day to see if the seed is doing its job. The temptation is to think we can go from sowing directly to harvest. There is a dormant time when the grain is working and expanding, but it takes time for you and me to see the results.

Today I must trust and keep doing what I have been given to do today. Today is the only day I have and the only one I am promised. When tomorrow becomes today, then I will keep trusting and Keep doing His will and trust the harvest to the one who is described as the “Lord of the Harvest.”

Today, trust and remain faithful, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

What is God up to in your life? Trust Him and keep moving forward!

One Thought to “Small Beginnings”

  1. Billlie Nolley

    Wise words of encouragement for these trying times! God is still in control!

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