From the Pastor
“With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32 (RSV)
When preaching on the parable of the mustard seed last Sunday, one of the stories that I told was the true tale of “The Man Who Planted Trees”. This story from France tells how each morning this single man would get up and carefully plant one hundred acorns. By his faithful labor over many years the landscape was transformed from dry desolation, to a place of new life and growth. Much in the same way Jesus told how the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, starting very small but transforming its place.
As I reflect on “The Man Who Planted Trees”, along with other of Jesus’ parables, I’m also reminded that not only the kingdom sometimes come slowly, it also comes with many not so successful plantings. The man who planted trees figured that only one of ten acorns planted would become a tree. Jesus talks about seed scattered on both good and bad soil, and only some of them growing.
It makes we wonder, what marks will the world show of our ministry together here? It is also a reminder that our task is to faithfully be about the work of planting seeds of love, mercy, kindness, and hope. We shouldn’t be surprised that not everything works like we imagine. Kingdom growth takes time, patience, and persistence, but it does happen, because the one who call us to this work is faithful. So thank you for your time, patience and persistence. Never quit trying good things, sharing new ideas, and doing compassionate works, and never fear, for God will provide the power to change the world around us.
Peace,
Pastor John Twiton
