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Knee High by th Fourth of July

Mark 4:30-32
“Again he said, ‘What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.’”

“Knee High by the Fourth of July.” Most gardeners are familiar with this old measurement adage for the height that their corn should be, if in fact they are going to bear fruit for harvest. The funny thing is, this adage never really has held true in any of my gardening efforts.

By this time of summer, gardens should be planted and seeds and weeds sprouting with great anticipation of delicious things to come. There really isn’t anything better than the taste of a homegrown tomato, fresh off the vine. It truly is a miracle how God makes those little seeds grow into something useful like a nourishing meal. How could anything as small as a seed bring about anything good? Left on its own—a seed is useless—until it is taken and planted, cultivated and cared for by the farmer.

Jesus knew this and used it as he taught the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Jesus chose the smallest of seeds, the mustard seed, which Scripture tells us “grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants . . .” (vs. 32). I don’t know about you, but this just fascinates me. Only our great God could manage to take the smallest, least significant seed and use it for His glory.

These kinds of miracles happen in our lives everyday. God chooses to use small and insignificant events in the eyes of the world to bring glory to His name. Gavin, a young man with Down syndrome in Littleton, Colo., loves to sing his praise to the King of Kings. Gavin’s favorite song at Bible Study is, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” After singing through all the usual verses and approaching the close of the song, Gavin decided that everyone at Bible Study needed to be included by name in our song of praise. After numerous rounds of singing, Gavin, in his way, made certain that everyone in our Bible Study group that day knew that God has them in His Hands.

God planted that small seed of faith in Gavin at his baptism, when he was brought to faith. Through the years, the Holy Spirit continues to nourish that faith which has continued to grow and mature. I thank God for Gavin who shared his faith in the living Lord, Jesus Christ, to let others know of His great love for them.

How can you share the seed of faith that has been planted in your life? Look to God for the answer.

Gracious Father, Provider of all good things. I am in awe of You as I gaze at Your creation and the wonder of all that comes from Your hands. I thank You for the bounty that comes from our gardens and farms across this great land. For the food that sustains this body and life. I thank You for brothers in Christ, like Gavin, who help to cultivate the seed of faith which You have sown. In Your mercy, show me Your ways to lead others to faith in You. For all of these things, I thank You Lord. Amen.