Today’s Bible reading

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

More thoughts for meditation

I see the parable of the mustard seed as a story about how Imagination is often the first step of being faithful to a calling. What begins as something seemingly simple and small carries circumstance shifting, world changing potential.

I don’t think it is coincidental that many of the people who have done terrible things in the name of Jesus also tried to stop imaginative work. And in the same vein, I’m convinced the people I know personally who are creating ways to combat evil and injustice with good and love are some of the most imaginative people I know.

A great example of how Circle of Hope does this well is our compassion teams. There are 16 compassion teams, and a few more that are in the process of becoming. One of the things that is so wonder-full about these teams is that each of them started out in someone’s imagination. The vision of something that could be is similar to the mustard seed mentioned in the parable above. These ideas, when planted, and shown the care they need, transform into something powerful within our reality.  

Suggestions for action

What need do you see around you? What idea, or mustard seed of imagination, are you able to picture where you could step into that need and cultivate something good? It might be a new compassion team, or joining a team that is already doing something great. Take a moment to look at the teams here, pray for them, be inspired, possibly even join one!