Listen

Then Jesus said, “This is what God’s kingdom is like. It’s as though someone scatters seed on the ground, then sleeps and wakes night and day. The seed sprouts and grows, but the farmer doesn’t know how. The earth produces crops all by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full head of grain. Whenever the crop is ready, the farmer goes out to cut the grain because it’s harvesttime.”

Mark 4:26-29

Think

One of the most encouraging sights I have ever seen is a blooming rose in the middle of a concrete waste. My first thought was, what in the world is this rose doing here? But even in my questioning I could not help but admire the beauty of the rose. I remember a line from Angie Thomas’s book Concrete Rose, “roses can bloom in the hardest conditions.” In spite of the strange conditions under which the rose bloomed in that particular spot, there was no denying the fact the rose was present in all its glory, saying, “I am here.”

The beauty, wonder, and joy of God’s kingdom comes as we affirm and celebrate the presence of all God’s creation. The farmer harvests all the grain, not just the ones that are familiar. The kingdom grows when we allow space for inclusion and growth but shrinks every time we shut God’s people out.

James Blay

Pray

Creator God, I have joy because I know I am a part of your kingdom. Help me recognize and remind others that they too are part of your loving kingdom. Amen.

Go

Go, knowing God has empowered you to write your part in the greatest story ever told.

Go write a story of love; a story of justice; a story of mercy; a story of welcome; a story of peace.