Mark 4:26-27

Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.”

This wonderful little parable tells us why it is so exciting to work for God. As I sit down at my laptop to write these reflections, I haven’t any idea how God will use them. I have no way of knowing who you are or what your needs are at the moment, but God knows and uses what I am putting in his hands. When we care for another person, offer a word of encouragement or write a thoughtful email, people will be blessed by God, but in a way that is totally beyond our knowledge. It’s just the same for the farmer who may not have any understanding of botany but who simply knows that once he has put seeds in the ground, growth takes place, and it happens whether he’s working hard or sleeping in his bed.

Let this be an encouragement to you: nothing that you ever do for God is a waste of time. I am more than aware that it can feel like it at times. Working hard in a youth club where there is only ever rudeness and cynicism, working in a church where the numbers are declining and the people are reluctant to change, sharing your faith when people don’t seem to take you seriously, caring for people who are demanding and unappreciative – there are lots of situations in which it can be really tough to serve God. However, be sure of this: if you are doing God’s work, blessing will flow in miraculous ways from what you do. Don’t ask me how God does it or how he makes things grow. I don’t know, and I don’t need to know.

Whatever you are doing today, commit it to God and you can be sure that, miraculously, it will help to make his kingdom grow, even though we haven’t a clue how he does it.

Question

In what ways does this little parable encourage you?

Prayer

Lord God, thank you that your kingdom is constantly growing. Help me to work enthusiastically for you today. Amen