Prayer Call: A Small Faith but a Big God

Hey BFB & Beyond!

This is the day that Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. This morning's devotional scripture: “He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaving 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 it’s branches.”” – Matthew 13:31-32 NIV

The power of God – the one who we have our faith in – can do great things with small beginnings. That’s what we find here in Matthew 13. As you study Matthew 13, you will see that there are a number of parables. This is a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. The crowds are growing but as they grow so is His opposition.  Here, Jesus is talking to a large crowd gathered by the Sea of Galilee. Instead of speaking so plainly, Jesus begins to teach in parables. He’s not minimalizing His message but He’s beginning to talk about deeper truths. These parables are understood by those who are truly following Him, studying Him, or those who have open hearts for Him.

Jesus tells the people that the kingdom of heaven is like that mustard seed. The mustard seed is the smallest seed, but this small seed can grow into the largest plant in the garden. Some say even a tree. It grows so large that it can even provide shelter for birds and other things. Jesus isn’t talking about just plants, He’s teaching about faith. He’s teaching about our calling. Our impact. Jesus is reminding us that God doesn’t need something big to do something powerful.

So many times we think that you have to be big or have all the resources or all the things to do something for God. Jesus shows here that it also takes the small things and that God is faithful and will reward the small things. So here’s some small things that we should carry with us daily that we can find truth in:

The first truth: We cannot despise the small starts. Jesus tells us that the mustard seed is the smallest but I feel like God always chooses the small things. Why? Because the small stuff is what builds trust in God. It’s that seed stage that starts to build the roots – it’s the beginning and just like with the mustard seed, this is where our faith is formed. It starts small but our roots in Christ begin to grow. I pray that we don’t interfere with God’s process because sometimes we don’t like the process, especially when it starts off small. God is always doing something under the surface. We’re reminded in Zechariah 4:10, “Do  not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Often times we tolerate the start, but God doesn’t tolerate the start, He rejoices in it. The seed that we are planting in prayer, in the small steps, while others may not rejoice, Heaven is already celebrating. We have to be faithful in the small things that God gives us. What does that look like? Maybe it’s making the call to someone God placed in your heart. Maybe it’s writing the prayer out. Maybe it’s saying yes to something that God told you to begin. When you look at the seed, you don’t see a tree, but seeds grow into what God has called them to be. Small starts don’t mean small outcomes. God can do amazing things with small beginnings. He will build something that lasts.

The second truth we see: Growth happens in the ground. A seed must be buried to grow. Sometimes it feels like life has buried us and this stage can sometimes feel like God is silent or that we aren’t making any progress. But what if you’re not buried? What if God has just planted you. The darkness of the soil is where I believe that God does His best work. That quiet space, that sacred space is where God nurtures us and cares for us the most. This week, I challenge us to embrace those planting seasons. Use those times when it seems like nothing is happening to reflect and think about where God is leading you next. How can we do this? By fasting or by journaling – through any method where you can work through what is being revealed to you. Know that just because you don’t see growth doesn’t mean God is not working. When this mustard seed is planted in the ground, nurtured, and nourished, it grows into a plant that takes over the entire garden.

The last truth: Even the smallest of faith has a future. When this mustard seed grows it provides shelter and covering for others. The mustard seed didn’t just grow for its own benefit. It grew and became a resource for others. That’s what our faith does for us. Whether it’s for our children, those we are connected to, our small groups, those in our offices, even those in our church – our faith has a ripple effect. It might start small but God grows it to bless more than just you. Our faith isn’t just for us, it’s for those who may be coming after us or those who may be connected to us. Many of us have made it on the faith of our forefathers. We’re where we are because somebody prayed for us. Those who had faith that God would see them through so much so that even when they went on to be with God in glory, they had faith that God would carry those they left behind through.

So this week ask God how faith can make room for others in your life? What does that look like? Ask God who do I need to encourage? Who can I mentor? Who can I serve? Who can I stand with? Whose hand can I hold? Sometimes the greatest ministry is the ministry of presence. By being present, you can sow a seed of faith. I pray that we don’t let today’s small, make us doubt tomorrow’s growth. We realize and understand that God specializes in using small things to do great things. God specializes in turning seeds into shelter. Your faith no matter how small, still has power. Even your small faith, means that we still serve a big God.