Friday Nurturing Content - 05/03/24

Happy Friday, Friend!

Welcome to May!

This month, we’re expanding a bit on our previous theme around Creation by looking at the agricultural cycle of sowing and reaping. Our May theme, Sowing Seeds of Faith, focuses on helping us discover that growth takes time and patience and that there is, indeed, a reward for those who do not grow weary in their labor but remain faithful until the end.

Our Key Scripture for this month is from Matthew 13 and focuses on the Parable of the Mustard Seed:

“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven 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 its branches.” -Matthew 13:31-32

The mustard seed is frequently used by Christians to represent small beginnings. In the days of Jesus, it was common to use a mustard seed, as it was a typical plant in that region (Palestine), to reference or suggest something that was very, very small.

However, the mustard seed isn’t actually the smallest seed in our current civilized world. At an average size of 1 to 2 millimeters (1⁄32 to 3⁄32 in) in diameter, the mustard seed is indeed tiny and was, perhaps, the the smallest seed ever sown by a first-century farmer in that part of the world. Today, however, scientists and farmers have discovered many seeds that are even smaller, such as those from certain varieties of orchids.

While it may not be the smallest seed today, the humble mustard seed can still teach us many great things. As can this parable.

Despite its small size, the mustard seed holds tremendous potential for growth, reflecting the transformative power of faith and the kingdom's expansion. When a mustard seed is planted in fertile soil and nurtured with care, it can grow into a large bush, sometimes reaching heights of up to ten feet!

The mustard seed in this parable symbolizes the gospel that is planted in a human soul. One single sermon or salivation message might seen insignificant and small, but it absolutely has the potential to grow into a life lived out in devotion to God, working to build and add onto His Kingdom.

This parable echoes other Biblical passages that highlight the principle of small beginnings leading to significant outcomes.

In Zechariah 4:10, we read:

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin." (NLT)

Additionally, Jesus Himself encourages His disciples by telling them that having even small faith can make the impossible, well, possible!

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. -Matthew 17:20

The mustard seed, then, becomes a symbol of hope, reminding us that God can bring about immense growth and impact even from modest beginnings. Just as the mustard seed grows into a tree so, too, can our faith, our acts of kindness, and our efforts to spread love and truth for the glory of God until it reaches unbelievable heights.

Though we may feel insignificant or our contributions minor, when entrusted to God's hands and cultivated in the fertile soil of His grace, anything we say or do can blossom into something far greater than we could ever conceive.

Now imagine this with your current writing project; your recently published book. Or, even your next podcast interview or speaking event. You may feel small and unimportant; your message may be simple and not well-polished. Nevertheless, do not underestimate the power of your faith and the fertile soil that surrounds the seeds you’re planting in the hearts of those who need to hear your message!

This parable invites us to embrace the potential within ourselves and others, trusting in God's ability to bring forth abundant growth from the smallest of seeds.

Today, I want to invite you into a faith unlike any other. I want you to believe with me and for your own self that whatever it is that God has placed on your heart to write, to speak on, to relay to His people, He will plant it in good soil and He will water it so that it can grow into a mighty tree!

Will you dare to believe that with me today?!

Dedicated to your success,

Tam

P.S. If you’re looking for further encouragement this month, I invite you to participate in our Monthly Challenge. It’s a guided devotional that will focus on sowing these seeds of faith through daily Scripture, reflection, and journaling prompts.