Reflecting on Mark 4:30-34The smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants.” (Mark 4:31-32)
As a Jesus follower, I am committed to ‘the little way’.
Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897) was a nun known as ‘la petite Thérèse’.
She modelled simplicity and practicality in her spiritual life.
Holiness involved small acts of love and service rather than grand gestures.
She emphasized humility, trust in God, and doing ordinary tasks with great love.
Even the smallest actions, done with love, can be significant and pleasing to God.
When I think about Jesus, this is how I see how Him.
Though He performed signs and wonders, He downplayed them.
They were not grand gestures meant to impress, they were acts of love.
He loved every person He blessed, fed, healed and helped.
He honoured and served the ‘little ones’.
He described the kingdom of God, as seen in Him, as a tiny seed.
His way of loving, serving and blessing others was tiny and weak.
Compared to the might of Rome, or the religious purity of the Pharisees???
But Jesus did not come with might or religious purity.
His was the power and wisdom of God, the Way of the Spirit.
The Way of Jesus seems weak and foolish to us.
It did to the people then too, including the disciples.
Be humble, forgiving, loving enemies, turning the cheek, serving the weak???
What difference can these make in a world of power and oppression?
How could a movement of peaceful outcasts defeat the Empire?
And yet it did…
In any crop, the seed it contains is its future, the fruit of its womb.
Jesus produced the seed/fruit of the Spirit of God, and it grew.
Humble gracious love IS the tiny kingdom seed that grows large.
Yet do we really believe this?
When faced with powerful threats or immense evil, do we respond with love?
Do we look for little ways to serve, small acts of kindness to bless?
Of course not, that would be foolish… the foolishness of God!!!
Do not underestimate the power of the seed/fruit of the Spirit.
Though it seems small, it grows long branches, and provides refuge.
“The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.” (Proverbs 11:30 NLT)
I fear that many churches and christians do not believe this.
They are more impressed by grand gestures.
Instead of serving the ‘little ones’, they rally around celebrities.
They seek out the big events and churches, and look for big results.
They leverage politics and money to win their cause.
Many seem to have lost their confidence in the good news of Jesus.
That though He was rich, He became poor.
Though He was strong, He became weak.
He emptied Himself, in humility considering others before Himself.
He was crushed like a tiny seed, and yet that seed grew back.
His ‘little way’ is what saves us, AND what we are saved for.
I admit it, being kind and helpful and generous seems weak.
What is ‘the little way’ against injustice, cruelty and selfishness?
It is God’s kingdom at work, that is what it is.
The Jesus Way is a tree of life, and will win people back to God.
The seed/fruit of the Spirit is the gospel in action.
Be inspired by ‘la petite Thérèse’, who followed ‘le petite Jesus’!
Model simplicity and practicality in your spiritual life.
Invest yourself in small acts of love and service.
Be humble, trust in God, and do ordinary tasks with great love.
The smallest actions, done with love, ARE significant and pleasing to God.
And by them, God’s kingdom is unleashed, and the Empire defeated.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, forgive me for doubting Your Way of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
May the power of Your love set me free from my bondage to power and greatness, and unleash in me the world-impacting power of Your little way. You are a tree of life, and I am a branch in You. Multiply Your seed/fruit in me.
It is the little things that can make the difference. A smile, engaging in conversation, a small action. These are personal and say I care. So often the big, showy actions seem removed from individuals. They do not seem as personal.
So much of what Jesus did was on a personal level. He was saying, ‘You are my child. You are important. I care.’ It was not the theatrics of a ruler. He did what He did out of love. I know I can strive to be more Christlike.
In my living for Jesus I strive to please Him in all I do. I need to be an instrument of His peace. He has fashioned me and molded me to do His will. I need to be a channel of His peace. I need to be like Christ unto others. Not my will but Your will be done as I live daily in Your ‘SonShine.’