Previous Reflections
REFLECTIONS
April 18th, 2021"… [the kingdom of God is like] … a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."
Mark 4:31-32Mustard Seed
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4, emphasis mine) Jesus was God’s instrument for the creation and to give the light of life to mankind.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 emphasis mine) Even as a tiny branch of the vine, God gives each of us our own kingdoms that reach the outer limits of our influence.
5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God…” (Genesis 3:5)Our kingdoms don’t give us royalty with standing in our spheres of influence. Yet too often we strive to shape our respective kingdoms into places we seek for ourselves. Isn’t that what the serpent convinced Eve to do when she ate the forbidden fruit? Still…
Christ is all, and is in all. (Colossians 3:11) This is our Father’s world, and we are among His instruments placed here to grow his kingdom. In us, something as small as a mustard seed, God placed Christ in you and in me to grow His kingdom.
The dearest thing to us in our kingdoms is most often our own home and family. But our influence reaches through our neighborhoods, workplaces, social connections, recreational settings, and to other places untold. People watch what we do, hear what we say, and sense what we feel. When they find Christ in our lives, it influences theirs. So…
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:15-16)
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)
You are the light of the world,
Richard +
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