How the Kingdom Grows

There is a beautiful inevitability in Jesus’ teaching in this passage. Light shines. The hidden is found. Seeds sprout. Sometimes to amazing and unexpected lengths. And the Kingdom does come, whether we think so or not.

It is quite easy, especially in the North American Church, to question the church’s relevance to our culture. We may view the Church as marginalized and watch individual congregations that have been around for decades flounder.

Yet, even in a culture like ours that can be disdainful of “church,” the Kingdom still grows, in individual lives turned around, in hearts repaired, in lives stitched back together, in ordinary, broken people doing extraordinary things because of what Jesus did for them.

If we have ears, we can hear. If we have eyes, we can see the humble evidence of what a living faith, even a tiny faith, can do.

Take a moment to think about the people you know whose lives have been changed, or strengthened by their faith.

If you can’t think of anyone because you don’t know a lot of other Christians that well, or your list is short, make a point of reading some Christian publications in Canada, or wherever you live, that tell those good stories. Or, read between the lines in your daily newspapers. Often, when someone rises above awful circumstances or survives tragedy, or even just takes a risk on behalf of someone else, there is an undercurrent of faith in the story.

Watch. Hear. Grow.

Respond in Prayer

Father God, thank you that we are not in charge. Thank you that your Kingdom has come, is coming, will come, not because of what we do, but because of who you are. Give us ears to hear, and eyes to see. We don’t want to miss it. Amen.

Karen Stiller