I'll bet most people who use computers don't have the slightest idea how they really work. But that lack of understanding is no deterrent to use. Similarly, I don't really understand how the kingdom of God works but I'm delighted to be a citizen and participant.
"The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows--how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." (Mark 4:26-29)
I heard on a Christian radio station this morning that a recent survey indicates that, for the first time in its history, the majority of Americans no longer look to the Bible as the source of guidance and direction. That's certainly an unfortunate trend but not terribly surprising. Christianity seems to be diminished in its impact in our era and this trend, as well as the decline in church attendance and growth in many churches, is cause for alarm by many. But this is no reflection on the growth and impact of the kingdom of God.
The fact is, according to the parable of Jesus, the kingdom grows silently and mysteriously among us. Regardless of the tide of popularity of Christianity, the vehicle designed to serve the kingdom, the growth of the kingdom is steady and sure.
On a personal level, the kingdom grows silently and mysteriously within us. We feed, water and cultivate it through essential disciplines such as prayer, worship, Bible study and Christian fellowship, but we no more understand its real growth than we do a garden that we've planted.
This much I'm sure of: the smallest of seeds was planted over 2,000 years ago and there has been steady, silent and impressive growth ever since. A day of harvest for the crop is rapidly approaching. With that in mind, I want to do all that I can to cultivate the "kingdom garden" in my life so that it is healthy and productive. And I urge you to do the same. It would be an unspeakable tragedy to come to the day of harvest with little or no crop to reap.
How does your garden grow? We can't answer that question but we can assess its health. If the crop looks less than healthy, today is an excellent day to provide the needed nutrients - while there is time. The Vine is waiting to supply His branches with health and vitality if we'll just reach out to make the connection.
Steve
"The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows--how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." (Mark 4:26-29)
I heard on a Christian radio station this morning that a recent survey indicates that, for the first time in its history, the majority of Americans no longer look to the Bible as the source of guidance and direction. That's certainly an unfortunate trend but not terribly surprising. Christianity seems to be diminished in its impact in our era and this trend, as well as the decline in church attendance and growth in many churches, is cause for alarm by many. But this is no reflection on the growth and impact of the kingdom of God.
The fact is, according to the parable of Jesus, the kingdom grows silently and mysteriously among us. Regardless of the tide of popularity of Christianity, the vehicle designed to serve the kingdom, the growth of the kingdom is steady and sure.
On a personal level, the kingdom grows silently and mysteriously within us. We feed, water and cultivate it through essential disciplines such as prayer, worship, Bible study and Christian fellowship, but we no more understand its real growth than we do a garden that we've planted.
This much I'm sure of: the smallest of seeds was planted over 2,000 years ago and there has been steady, silent and impressive growth ever since. A day of harvest for the crop is rapidly approaching. With that in mind, I want to do all that I can to cultivate the "kingdom garden" in my life so that it is healthy and productive. And I urge you to do the same. It would be an unspeakable tragedy to come to the day of harvest with little or no crop to reap.
How does your garden grow? We can't answer that question but we can assess its health. If the crop looks less than healthy, today is an excellent day to provide the needed nutrients - while there is time. The Vine is waiting to supply His branches with health and vitality if we'll just reach out to make the connection.
Steve
posted by steve @ 8:19 AM
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