April 22

Moments with God, April 22

Mark 4:30-32 (NIV) 30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

We are in the process of planning a bigger garden this year. We enjoyed our garden last year, but, with food prices rising higher and higher, we decided to enlarge the garden. We have tilled it several time, uncovering more and more rocks. It almost seems as if we are growing rocks. We purchased the seeds, new hoses for watering the plants, and deer repellant to help deter the deer. Once everything was in order, we prayed over the garden because only the Lord can make it grow. Of course, until we plant the seeds, the Lord cannot do His part.

Yes, planting the seeds is obvious even to those who have never had a garden; therefore, this does not seem like much of an insight. However, the same principal applies to our spiritual walks. Jesus’s words about faith the size of a mustard seed have been a staple in many of our lives. If only we had the faith the size of a mustard seed, we could do the things Jesus did. I have prayed for that mustard seed many times, but, recently, I noticed that we often miss an important point. Jesus tells us that once the seed is PLANTED, it will grow and become greater. We can have a “mustard seed” faith, but if we do not plant it, it will remain a small seed. To plant that seed means we are to step out in faith and act on that faith. When we do, the Lord will do His part, and the “seed” will begin to grow. Now is the time to plant those mustard seeds because we are not to live by sight but by faith.