Daily Reading: 25 May

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

God's kingdom expands and grows all around us.

Something to read

He said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’ And again he said, ‘To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’

- Luke 13: 18-21.

Something to think about

Mustard seeds are pretty small. Yeast is tiny.

A mustard seed seems so insignificant but can become a nine-foot high, black mustard plant. Yeast seems so insignificant but think about how important it is as you eat your sandwiches.

Jesus didn’t come as a mighty warrior with a mass army. He came as a baby, born into a poor rural community.

Jesus didn’t build huge buildings and establish mass marketing plans. He left the vital good news message in the hands of a few terrified disciples, many of whom had dubious backgrounds.

The kingdom is like mustard seeds and yeast. God is often at work in what the world sees as unimportant and the insignificant. However, God’s kingdom is expanding and growing all around us. It just depends what kind of lens we are looking through.

I feel so insignificant when I look at the world around me. I am often overwhelmed by the injustice, the pain and the enormity of world issues. I have so little that I can do or give. But then I remember this parable and remember that I have a role to play for the king and the kingdom.

Something to do

Write a letter of encouragement or give someone a text thanking them for the significant things they are doing for God’s kingdom.

Something to pray

I empty my pockets.
I empty myself.
I empty my all.
And make it available for your disposal.
May my insignificance be significant for your kingdom.

Today's contribution was from Andy Frost, Director of Share Jesus International.