Mustard Seed
I listened to the parable of the mustard seed last week on my audio Bible, and I keep thinking about that tiny seed.
I relate to it because my footprint in ministry is small. I feel like that tiny seed sometimes. But the mustard seed parable teaches us that the smallest seed (our giftings) can sprout a structure large enough to impact everything around it (our ministry footprint) when watered and tended correctly.
When moisture finds its way to a mustard seed, the shell softens and eventually cracks. From that crack, a sprout pushes through.
I’m blessed to have people who believe in my giftings to water my ministry with prayer and encouragement. And when I add faith (even faith as small as a mustard seed!) and earnest hard work, I see my little seed start to sprout. And this sprouting is beautiful to me.
For example, yesterday I saw sprouting when someone told me they really identified with my song “Mind of Christ” and got a lot out of the music video.
I had someone else tell me last week’s Monday Encouragement e-newsletter topic really hit home for them and it’s just what they needed. That’s sprouting!
And when someone streams my songs or views my paintings and is moved…sprouting.
So what’s next after sprouting? Well, I don’t pretend to know what it will look like for me, but for the mustard seed, a stem and leaves emerge. It then extends roots deeper into the soil, in search of nutrients to continue its growth. At that point it’s exerting itself in two directions: it’s deepening its roots while also reaching towards the sky.
Grab hold of this imagery. Isn’t it beautiful?
And doesn’t it relate well to what we’re called to do as creatives using our gifts for our Creator? We dig down deep to nourish our roots with prayer, scripture, and obedience, while also reaching upward and stepping out into our callings. The quality of our inward spiritual nourishment always affects the outward ministry results.
I’m so glad we’re on this journey together, friends. I couldn’t do it alone. It’s a lot. It’s hard. But it’s so worth it.
May we all be patient with our mustard seeds and vigilant with their care.
Reflection Questions
Do you relate with what I said above about sometimes feeling like the tiny mustard seed? If so, how are you watering your seed to create an environment where sprouting can occur? I highly recommend you gather a team of people who will commit to praying for your calling and encouraging you when you’re feeling down.
I find it hard to stop and just be grateful for the exact place I’m in right now, because I’m always looking towards the end goal. The mustard seed parable is teaching me to stop and appreciate the small sprout. Where is sprouting happening your life right now? I encourage you to take a moment to acknowledge it. I think you’ll find there is more sprouting happening than you realize!
This imperative of nourishing our roots to grow our creative calling can feel a bit overwhelming to me sometimes. We all have gaps in nourishment (at least I know I do!). What are some strategies you use to deepen your roots? I would love to hear about them.
Matthew 13:31-32 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.”