“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches” – Mathew 13:31-32 (NIV).
The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds there is, about 1-2 millimetres. In spite of that it can grow to a twenty feet tree. It has many branches that start to grow from the tree trunk on to the ground. “The mustard tree can grow wide and tall,” a writer has pointed out.
But for the mustard tree to grow one has to first sow that little seed into the ground. This too is true of many other plants that yield great trees- Mango, Avocado, Jack fruit -they all start as small seedlings dropped into the ground. Once cultivated well they all bloom into giant trees of the forest.
In our leading verse Jesus used the example of the mustard seed to refer to how the kingdom of God grows from a single step of faith. But the same message can apply to many other areas of life. For one to progress at school and eventually attain a degree it all starts with enrolment in primary one. Builders of any house start by laying the first bloc. The mustard seed story has been linked to revolutions which started with one shot fired. The Chinese say, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a step at a time”!
The scriptures say “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6, ESV). Today, you could be nurturing a big dream, perhaps too terrifying to imagine, in its sheer breadth, strength and power, as you envision it once full blown. Do not fear. The Lord is telling you to have the faith like of a mustard seed.
To realize that tree of your dreams you must go out and sow that little seedling. Do not lie back, hoping that the tree of your dreams will just appear out of the wild without taking a step of faith. Nor does it help to wonder how come that there are other mighty trees in other peoples garden! They all started with just one seed sown into the ground, a step of faith in action that yields into a powerful garden.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, like in the parable of the mustard seed, today I take that step of faith to sow a seed of faith, assured of your blessings, that it will grow and bloom into a full tree and make of a wonderful garden, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
