Daily thought for Wednesday 26th March 2025
Colin Sinclair
“He said therefore, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.’
And again he said, ‘To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’”
Luke 13:18-21 (NRSV)
Small can be significant
I am amazed at how many people suffer from low self-esteem. Indeed sometimes it is the most unlikely people who doubt themselves, people we think have every reason to hold their heads up high. For we only see the outside of a person and their inside world remains hidden to us. One way of coping is to find our identity in something big, outside of ourself. It may be by being a fan of a sports team, or following a pop-group, projecting their success onto ourselves. Big is beautiful – but is it?
When I reached 70 my grandchildren each wrote a sentence about what was special about “Grandpa”. There was no mention of the work I had done, the places I had been or the people I had met. No, what mattered was that I read them stories, pushed them on the swing, sang silly songs and made them laugh. Little things anyone can do, but each helped them to know that Grandpa loved them. It is often the small things that really count in making people feel valued and noticed. It may be a practical kindness shown, a willingness to listen, an encouraging word or simply shared laughter. Never underestimate the impact that these things can make on a life. An almost invisible mustard seed has the possibility, over time, of making a huge impact, yeast can totally change the dough to which it is added.
Perhaps instead of hiding behind something big, even the large church (!), we need to value the small. If Jesus could do wonders with a few loaves and some fish, perhaps we can even do wonders with our lives. Perhaps you can be impact someone’s life today and that person may in time reach far more than we ever will. However they might not without our small contribution.
Shall we pray?
Lord Jesus, you came down to our level to walk beside us and transform our lives. Help us to walk beside others and make a difference today, leaving the outcome to you, Amen
Colin Sinclair is a retired minister living in Peebles. He was minister of Palmerston Place Church in Edinburgh and Moderator of the General Assembly in 2019.
Thinking it through:
Share some ways others have made a difference in your life.
Can you see in your church or community how something that started small grew into something that impacted many?
Where could we start to build the Kingdom of God?