27 October 2015 - start small

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like?
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.

The Kingdom isn't always obvious right away. In it's initial stages can be all but invisible. In fact, it is often marked by suffering and groaning and labor pains. These don't seem very Kingdom-like at all.

We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves

If that is so are we really better for having it? Paul thinks so:

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed for us.

The mustard seed is here. It is growing. It may seem like nothing in the moment. But if we just give it time we will see the impressive results:

When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”

During suffering the Kingdom may seem like too little to make a difference. After all, the suffering itself remains. We continue to groan. But this seemingly small thing has the potential to unleash ripples of exponential change in the world.

It is like yeast that a woman took
and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”

The Kingdom teaches us to give the mustard seed time to grow. It teaches us to give the yeast time to leaven. It helps us to accept the kneading of our dough by the circumstances of life.

For in hope we were saved.
Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. 
For who hopes for what one sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.

It gives meaning to the sufferings of this present time, even now, even before we see the results. We can say, 'What is this in the light of eternity?' We are not like those without hope (cf. 1 The. 4:13). We believe that Jesus died and rose again. This gives meaning to all of the small deaths we endure, knowing that they in turn lead us toward the resurrection, "the redemption of our bodies" when we, together with creation, will be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God

Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.