And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.
Luke 13:20-21 (NRSV)
The last time my two grandsons came over for dinner, I let them make personal pizzas. I sometimes use a prepared crust, but this time I tried a new recipe that called for yeast. I don’t often cook with yeast, and I was reminded of how such a tiny packet of yeast can be activated by a little warm water and a bit of sugar. Soon I had a full bowl of rapidly expanding dough.
The power of that yeast is like that of the tiny clove of garlic I added to my pizza sauce. It seemed a small amount in proportion to the large can of tomato sauce, but as the pizza was gently warmed in the oven, that tiny clove of garlic began to release a roomful of its flavorful aroma.
So, this is what the kingdom of God is like? A mustard seed or a small pinch of yeast? These comparisons remind me that the impact our faith has on others may start out small, but it can easily grow into something significant.
Have you ever thought that others had more to offer God, and you had nothing of significance to offer to others? Those are the times when you can remember the advantages of a tiny pinch of yeast or of a faith the size of a mustard seed.
Just as it is natural for a seed or yeast or garlic to grow under the right conditions, so also does the kingdom of God grow by every tiny contribution of faith and trust. I invite you to consider how you can grow your faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, so that you can have a positive influence on those around you.
Prayer: Compassionate Lord, help to always remember that growth is a natural process, and it is your desire for me to grow in my faith and service to you.