One thing that I have noticed about living my life in the kingdom, following Jesus, is that interestingly enough, the pressure of many things is taken off of me…because Jesus shoulders that pressure. The world recognizes self-reliance, self-confidence, and self-direction. According to worldly wisdom we either make it on our own or we fail. It puts all the pressure ON US to live a happy and fulfilled life. If we recognize the greatness of God and submit totally to Him, the pressure is off us. We can free ourselves from worry because we know that God will give us what we need.
Mark 4:26-29 (TNIV)
26 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.”
Likewise, we often feel the pressure of insuring that someone we know or love finds a relationship with Jesus. Well…..Jesus takes that pressure too. The seed of a spiritual life grows by God’s power, not ours. There is no need to badger people, fear them, push them or force them to believe because anyone that TRULY believes is drawn by God Himself, indeed Jesus Himself. We simply plant seeds by the witness of our relationship and the witness of our daily lives following Jesus.
Often times we feel like, as individuals, or even as a part of a group like a church, that we just can’t make that big an impact on our communities or indeed….the world. Nothing could be further from the truth! Again, simply by living in relationship with Jesus and applying His wisdom to our lives…simple obedience and….fruitfulness…can change the world! It starts in our families with our children…teaching them to love, forgive, to live a life in the family of Jesus…and extends into our schools, our jobs, and our circle of friends and extended family.
Just like a seed sprouts and grows mysteriously…..the Gospel grow in the hearts of believers and the Holy Spirit works through us. All we do is stay faithful to Jesus and His work. His power is working through us even if we can’t seem to see the results.
I believe that we can feed thousands and heal hearts just like Jesus. When we simply live the Gospel message, when we love and when our love for Jesus is apparent…..many hearts are touched who touch other hearts and on and on. When we listen to or help someone who is hurting…they help others who are hurting and that my friend is being used by God, indeed Jesus to help heal this world. We simply need to faithfully minister to others and trust God for the growth.