I have always loved the parables of Jesus and found it interesting that he chose to teach us through his stories and examples. I can visually see that little mustard seed. So small and really just looks so insignificant – sometimes how I feel – small and insignificant… Jesus wanted us to visualize this and to personally relate – he was just cool like that!
Can’t you just see those little seeds being flung everywhere and falling into cracks, into weeds and even a few making it to good rich soil? Just like us being flung into this world, not knowing what to do or who to turn to…we make mistakes – we let the weeds smother us – ok well not weeds – but sin, whether it is lying, boasting, cheating, judging, – you know those things we do constantly but don’t realize it is really a sin… Then there are times when we get so excited for God and we are just on fire and we let ourselves get burned out – just like the scorched seed – we need to remember to have good soil, water, and sunshine to grow – a Christian needs accountability, prayer, Bible and worship – we need to be covered with good soil – and good Christian supporters. I want to be that good mustard see that lands in the right “soil” with the right amount of light, water and nourishment. I want to be that Christian who just grows every day for God. Jesus later stated in another parable, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.” — Matthew 13:31–32, World English Bible
Interestingly enough…Jesus’ parable was discussed in three of the Gospels in the Bible. The differences between Gospels of Matthew (13:31–32), Mark (4:30–32), and Luke (13:18–19), are minor. Jesus could have used any seed or any tree to describe his thought; however he chose the smallest seed and described what a difference it could make by becoming a large beautiful tree that could even be a home for a bird.
In life – we feel small and insignificant but God can do so much with so little. We just need to open our hearts and let him work through us. Think of ways you can make a difference and start today! You never know if you are encouraging a new leader, saving someone’s life, inspiring a missionary to teach others…it only starts with a little seed…make a difference.
The Parable of the Sower (NIV) Matthew 13:1-23
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” 10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” 11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘you will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 when anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Make a Difference Day – October 25, 2014 – This October 25th, millions of volunteers across the nation will unite with a common mission – to improve the lives of others. For more than 20 years, USA WEEKEND Magazine, in collaboration with Points of Light, has brought you Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of community service. So what do you plan to do?
http://makeadifferenceday.com/
Hoping you plant that little seed today and many blessings to you.
Leigh
STOP, Drop & ROLL!!!
The Change 