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“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” ~Matthew 13:31-32
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed. It’s a familiar comparison, but one we might not talk about much. Jesus’ words brought his original audience to a weed, which grew tenaciously, no matter how much you tried to pull it out. It looked tiny and insignificant, but it could take over and transform your whole garden, bringing with it an entire world of its own.
It wasn’t a pretty plant, necessarily, or even the most useful – but it could not be stopped. So why would Jesus use such an analogy?
Often, when we think of religion, we think of people who are finished products – who have beautiful lives, inside and out; who never doubt; who always serve selflessly. Jesus, however, knew this was (and remains) hardly the case. Rather, Jesus reminded the disciples, faith is something that grows within and transforms you. The Kingdom of God doesn’t simply happen one day. It grows, changing and moving the earth around it to make way for the little ones to find home and respite in its branches.
This summer, I’d like you to envision a mustard seed growing within you, and in this soil around St. John’s. Water it with kindness and care, pluck out the harmful sins that lie in its way, and make sure plenty of good sun shines down upon it. Think of your faith, and the Kingdom of God, as something growing within and around you, rather than a finished product you earn.
It doesn’t happen in a day, or even a year – but you may look around one day and find that everything has changed. It might not look like the beautiful roses that the world expects – but we pray it will offer a nest for one who needs it.
It is in this prayer that our Council will meet this month to prayerfully consider where God is calling us next. What will our focus be this year? How shall we love and serve our neighbor? Where is God calling us to change?
You don’t need to be on Council to ask these questions. We’d love to hear your thoughts! Reach out – I’m looking forward to talking, praying, and transforming with you this summer.
Your co-worker in Christ,
Pastor Lauren Bruno
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed. It’s a familiar comparison, but one we might not talk about much. Jesus’ words brought his original audience to a weed, which grew tenaciously, no matter how much you tried to pull it out. It looked tiny and insignificant, but it could take over and transform your whole garden, bringing with it an entire world of its own.
It wasn’t a pretty plant, necessarily, or even the most useful – but it could not be stopped. So why would Jesus use such an analogy?
Often, when we think of religion, we think of people who are finished products – who have beautiful lives, inside and out; who never doubt; who always serve selflessly. Jesus, however, knew this was (and remains) hardly the case. Rather, Jesus reminded the disciples, faith is something that grows within and transforms you. The Kingdom of God doesn’t simply happen one day. It grows, changing and moving the earth around it to make way for the little ones to find home and respite in its branches.
This summer, I’d like you to envision a mustard seed growing within you, and in this soil around St. John’s. Water it with kindness and care, pluck out the harmful sins that lie in its way, and make sure plenty of good sun shines down upon it. Think of your faith, and the Kingdom of God, as something growing within and around you, rather than a finished product you earn.
It doesn’t happen in a day, or even a year – but you may look around one day and find that everything has changed. It might not look like the beautiful roses that the world expects – but we pray it will offer a nest for one who needs it.
It is in this prayer that our Council will meet this month to prayerfully consider where God is calling us next. What will our focus be this year? How shall we love and serve our neighbor? Where is God calling us to change?
You don’t need to be on Council to ask these questions. We’d love to hear your thoughts! Reach out – I’m looking forward to talking, praying, and transforming with you this summer.
Your co-worker in Christ,
Pastor Lauren Bruno
