Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed . . .” (1) So . . . the kingdom of heaven is small? 🤔 Most things are small in their beginning stages. But pay attention—Jesus is talking about a seed here. And seeds grow. So let Jesus keep talking, please. 😏 “ . . . a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.” (1) The seed, then, in order to grow, must be placed in the ground, a dark and often damp area. That’s where growth takes place. Hmm. 🤔 Sounds lonely.
But, again, let Jesus speak. 🙄 “It is the smallest of seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree . . .” (2) Who would think something so small could grow so big! That’s encouraging. Things take time to grow, to flourish, to produce fruit. The same is true about our lives and our work. Feeling small, being small – is where we all begin. And loneliness is part of the process, too.
But let’s go back to Jesus. “. . . so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (2) The seed eventually becomes a flower and then a bush and then a tree which provides a home for birds. The seeds we plant (i.e. the work we do for God) create community and comfort for others.
So, “the kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed.” (1) I understand the mustard seed but what exactly is this kingdom of heaven? 🤔 It is where humility (us) and exaltedness (God) meet. We will experience it fully and completely when we reach heaven. But in the meantime, we can find this kingdom of heaven in our hearts and in our work.
So here’s the important thing: when we feel small (humbled) we are in the perfect place for God (exaltedness) to meet us. And when he does, his greatness will overwhelm us, lift us up, and carry us to new heights, where we will do great things. 😀 “He will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great.” (3)
It begins when we are small. We are called to do something small because to do something great is to do something small. Greatness always begins with smallness. 🙃 To do something small is to do something great. Remember the mustard seed.
(1) Matthew 13:31 (2) Matthew 13:32 (3) Psalm 115:13
