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
As I reflect on Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed I can’t help but think of our congregation, of the energy, intelligence, imagination, and love that so many of you give for the sake of God’s work in this community.
I have heard many BPC folks describe our congregation as a small but mighty church. Aka, while we don’t have a ton of people we are able and willing to do a lot when it comes to our mission and ministry. This is shown through the involvement of so many of you in various aspects of our life together. It’s visible when you look at the church calendar and see how many days in an average week have one or more activities going on. We do a lot for such a small church. This reality is not only one that we recognize, but one that others in the Buffalo community recognize too.
When Jesus speaks about the mustard seed he talks about how this tiny thing can grow into such a large shrub that various birds can perch in its branches, that they might find a home and place of rest. I can’t help recognizing that so many of our missions and ministries, like the mustard seed, help people find a home and place of rest. It could be a literal home as we provide rental assistance to those in need and support local organizations that help people find and keep housing that is warm and safe. It could also be a spiritual home, where people can practice and grow in their faith. It could be a community home, where people can find support, companionship, and affirmation from and for other people. Because of our shared faith in Christ and the actions that flow from it we are able to serve people in ways that are often small, but can have an impact that is larger than we might ever know.
Our mightiness is our faith in practice. It’s the way that our love of God and love of neighbor play out in service to one another and to our community. Make no mistake, it’s not that we should do a lot for the sake of doing a lot, rather that we are called to be generous with what God has given us and seek to be good stewards of all God has placed in our care.
Let us never doubt what God can do with just a little. In the feeding of the 5,000 Jesus took a couple fish and loaves and multiplied it to feed the whole crowd with leftovers. The size of our congregation is not an impediment upon us and our ministry, so long as we trust and remember the power of God to grow a tiny seed into a mighty tree. Small acts of love, everyday deeds of care and dedication, even the littlest signs of faith can be used and are being used by God to grow God’s kingdom in our midst and around the world.
“I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay… small acts of kindness and love.” -Gandalf in ‘The Hobbit’
God’s peace be with you!
-Pastor Brian
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