From the Smallest of Seeds

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2018 3:10 pm Post subject: From the Smallest of Seeds

From the Smallest of Seeds

Scripture:

Thus said the Lord God: I myself will take of the marrow of the high cedar, and will set it: I will crop off a tender twig from the top of the branches thereof, and I will plant it on a mountain high and eminent. On the high mountains of Israel will I plant it, and it shall shoot forth into branches, and shall bear fruit, and it shall become a great cedar: and all birds shall dwell under it, and every fowl shall make its nest under the shadow of the branches thereof. And all the trees of the country shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, and exalted the low tree: and have dried up the green tree, and have caused the dry tree to flourish. I the Lord have spoken and have done it.
(Ezekiel 17:22-24)

Therefore having always confidence, knowing that, while we are in the body, we are absent from the Lord. (For we walk by faith, and not by sight.) But we are confident, and have a good will to be absent rather from the body, and to be present with the Lord. And therefore we labor, whether absent or present, to please him. For we must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the proper things of the body, according as he has done, whether it be good or evil.
(2 Corinthians 5:6-10)

And he said: So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the earth, and should sleep, and rise, night and day, and the seed should spring, and grow up while he knows not. For the earth of itself brings forth fruit, first the blade, then the ear, afterwards the full corn in the ear. And when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest is come. And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or to what parable shall we compare it?

It is as a grain of mustard seed: which when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that are in the earth: And when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out great branches, so that the birds of the air may dwell under the shadow thereof. And with many such parables, he spoke to them the word, according as they were able to hear. And without parable he did not speak unto them; but apart, he explained all things to his disciples.
(Mark 4:26-34)

Reflection:

There are many ways by which we evaluate something as exceptional, average, or lacking. Such measures, however, are not the same for everything, for what is grand in one situation may be lacking in another. With God, He can take what is grand and make it low and what is low and elevate it to glory. He works through the mighty, but He has done even greater works through the lowly. (cf. Luke 1:46-55)

What God raises, He can also bring down. Our faith should not be a cause to boast, but a cause to hope, for our hope is in the Lord. (cf. 1 Samuel 2:2-10) If we are able to accomplish, it is because of what God created within us. The gifts He gives we do not always recognize in the moment, but if we turn ourselves to His work, He will put to use the talents He created within us. (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31)

Our world is designed to encourage us to accomplishment. Indeed, the Lord made us with the abilities to create, build, endeavor, and do; but we should not work for our personal glory, rather, we should work for the glory of God. He was the One who created talents within us. It is left to us to discover them and dedicate them to His will. (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11) In so doing, we allow Him to lead our efforts to His purpose and His plan.

If God is able to render the strongest of trees from the tender shoot; one which provides shelter and good fruit; think then, what He may do through us if our faith is in Him. The only thing which prevents us from answering His call is ourselves, for while the evil one may cause division, confusion, and mischief; the power of our choices remains always with us.

The question, then, is what will we choose? Will we choose to hide? Will we choose indifference? Will we choose the temptations of the evil one, or will we choose what God asks of us? We may fear the efforts of others designed to coerce us to their idolatry of ideology, but our greater fear should be what we do which separates us from our Creator. While we may suffer the consequences of those who persecute us for our faith, the suffering they may bring to bear is only temporary. Our greater concern should be the eternal consequences of our choices.

Blessed are we, for though we are prone to many mistakes and failings, our God is willing to forgive a contrite heart. Should we fall, let us allow Him to help us back up again. If we have the faith simply the size of a mustard seed, if we turn to Him, He will nurture us to do great things (cf. Matthew 17:20); perhaps through many small efforts, but efforts which shall be remembered forever by the angels and holy ones in heaven. (cf. Matthew 5:19)

Let us, then, turn ourselves to the One who created us and who knows all the talents He has sown within us. Let us allow Him to guide our endeavors so His will may be done.

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways may we allow God to work through us?

In what ways may we be productive in the eyes of God?

In what ways may we help to bring forth good fruit?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier