God Is Working

Have you seen those videos on YouTube where a parent takes a picture of their child every single day for several years?

Have you seen it? It’s phenomenal. For one, how do you have the resilience and patience to do this every day :) But second, it’s phenomenal because you can literally see a human being growing before your eyes!

But, you know what? As I was watching the video, I started to get impatient. Even bored. So I fast-forwarded the video to the end. I just wanted to see the end product.

Growth is often a slow and mundane process, so I’m often impatient to wait for growth. I want things fast, and I want it now. But whether it is a human being or the Kingdom of God, the process of growth is slow. Therefore, by God’s grace, it takes spiritual eyes to recognize that God is working. He is growing us, and He is growing the Kingdom of God for His glory!

This week, as we are looking at the parables of Jesus, my heart gravitated toward the parable of the mustard seed. It is such a relevant passage for our culture.

Matthew 13:31-32 says:

He told them another parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

The disciples and many others during Matthew 13 were looking for a Messiah who would come and grow a physical kingdom. One that you can see, one that will visibly make a huge impact.

However, Jesus shares this parable of how the Kingdom of Heaven is like a small mustard seed. He was teaching them two things:

1. The Kingdom of Heaven will have small beginnings.

2. The Kingdom of Heaven will grow to have a big spiritual impact.

The Kingdom will have small beginnings. It is the way Jesus himself was born. God was born and in diapers. He was born in an obscure town, didn’t have a college education, didn’t have fancy titles or positions. He didn’t write a book or get a Ph.D. He didn’t own a house or a car. So, to our current culture’s standards, He was not great. He wouldn’t be followed by too many on Instagram, and no one would want to interview Him on their podcast.

Furthermore, later in his life, he poured himself into twelve disciples who later deserted Him. He was crucified like a criminal in the company of two thieves. However, it was the life and death of Christ that had the greatest spiritual impact.

The point is, never underestimate humble small beginnings!

Perhaps, you are in a season where you are a young adult just starting your career at an entry-level position. Never underestimate how God can use you in your company.

Maybe, you are parents with children, worrying about their future. Never underestimate how God can grow your kids into Kingdom warriors.

Lastly, the Kingdom of Heaven will grow to have a significant spiritual impact. The keyword is spiritual. Meaning, we may not always visibly see God’s growth. I would even add that we will not fully realize our growth until we are in Heaven, looking back at our lives.

I wake up every day with this faith that what I do, who I meet, and who I serve - God is always working and growing His Kingdom. My job is not to worry about the impact or the result. But to daily be faithful and to daily trust the mustard seeds that are being planted will grow to glorify God.

Friends, what is something you are going through this week that you need to see with spiritual eyes? With Kingdom eyes? Believe today, God is working! Amen!

Pastor Sean

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