Verse: Mark 4:26-29 (Parable of the Growing Seed)
He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain – first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
Thoughts
Have you ever boiled water? Have you sat there and watched it? It feels like it takes FOREVER. It just keeps getting hotter and hotter, but it never boils. I'm not a very patient person (are you?) so it's especially frustrating for me. But all we can do is create the environment (by turning on the stove) for it to happen, and then....wait.
Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to something similar. He says it's like a seed that grows - we can't really speed it up or control it - it just grows. The farmer creates the environment for growth (plants the seed, waters it, etc) but then has to just....wait.
This is similar to how we grow in the Lord. We create the environment by reading his Word, praying, worshipping, serving others etc. But even with all that, sometimes it feels like - "am I really growing at all?" Do you ever get impatient with your own growth?
The encouragement of this parable is to Trust the Process. When you read God's Word, you may not see immediate change in your life, but trust the process - his Word will work in your life. When you pray for God to shape you, lead you, and change you - trust the process. It might not happen immediately, but prayer works. When you serve others, you may not feel like you've made a difference in their lives - but trust the process. You never know how God is going to use your service.
So when you get discouraged (or impatient) with God's work in your life, remember the farmer. BE THE SEED. Be patient with growth. And Trust the Process.
Prayer
Help me to lean into the process of your work in my life God!