³¹ Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. ³² It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”

Matthew 13:31-32

Dear God, I’ve never thought of this before, but what if it were the opposite? What if the Kingdom of Heaven is like an elephant. It is the largest of the animals and it sits wherever it wants? Sometimes it feels like that’s what the American church today wants. And you’re God. You could make it work that way. You could be the 800-lb. gorilla that sits wherever you want to sit. You could subdue us and make us do whatever you want. You could override our free will. In fact, I wonder how much the Israelites listening the Jesus at the time were disappointed by this parable.

But if I’m doing this series to get a feel for who you are then I need to really think about this. You work in such a loving, growing, organic way. A gentle way. You start with something small and infuse it with your presence. From there is grows from the bottom up until it grows into something that is a blessing to others.

I work in a place like that. You took a woman 31 years ago and inspired her to do one thing: start a one-night-a-week free clinic. She knew people needed help and you planted the seed of an idea within her and it found fertile soil. It grew. Now, 31 years later, we are a medical home for thousands. The come to us from miles around to find hope and help. Volunteers come to us to find a source of joy and serving. Donors join us to be part of your community. What a joy!

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I pray that I will be mindful of how you work. I pray that I will be patient as I see things that I want done, but want to take the elephant approach and not the mustard seed approach. You work through mustard seeds, not elephants. You work organically, not autocratically. Help me to remember that. Help me to remember the joy you have for all of us as we worship you and then till the soils in our own hearts so that the seeds you plant in them will have space to grow.

I pray all of this by your Holy Name,

Amen