"Another parable He put forth to them, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches'."
Matthew 13:31-32
This parable truly eludes me more than any other. Especially since Christ also talks about what magnificent works we can do in His name, just by having faith as small as a mustard seed. Isaiah 64:4 speaks of how we cannot comprehend what the Lord has in store for those who love Him. And Romans 8:28 says "And we know that all things work together for good, to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."
So what is with this mustard tree? How is Heaven like a mighty dwelling place for birds?
Many people speak of how we will have places to dwell and things to do in Heaven and Jesus himself talks about our actions being for the Lord and gaining eternal riches for serving Him (Matthew 6:17-18.) In chapter 6 of Galatians Paul warns us fervently what we sew here on earth will be reflected in eternity. So my earthly actions will be counted and will determine what I will be doing for eternity? Is it possible that all those small, almost thoughtless events that make up our days really effect our eternal life? When you think about it, day after day, whatever you are doing eventually turns into what you did, day after day, possibly until you die. If nothing else, knowing that my daily actions turn into the life I live here on earth, well, it makes me realize how much of my day is wasted. Which in turn makes me think of how much of my life has been wasted.
Pondering my daily activities in light of the great mustard tree and the parables of minas and talents, I can't help but see how I really am that fig tree bearing no fruit. What evidence am I showing that God is the most important thing... not just in my daily life, but EVER? Like that mustard seed, this life is just the start of a still intangible future. But with a little stillness and reflection, that distant, eternal, future-life looms a bit closer. I hope that in the days to come my future with the Lord does not "loom" but riles up in me an excitement that beams from every movement and action I take. No one can say who will begin to change because of my kind words, my peaceful patience or just my willingness to listen. All of a sudden, everything I'm doing seems like the greatest opportunity I've ever had.
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