Planting the Seeds of Dreams

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 your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." Matt 13:31-32 (NIV)

Many of us are big dreamers. We see in our minds the goals that we desire to achieve. We view the beautiful, finished product and meditate on what it would be like to experience our dream. We also know that our dream is not reality. What we see with our mind’s eye, an established business, grown children who love the Lord, a charitable foundation, multitudes of lives changed through our contribution and influence, is at first invisible. They are but small creations in our minds. But these small creations, if planted and nurtured, are the essence of our dreams becoming reality. Dreamers must have the fortitude to live with the tension between holding on to our dreams and facing the reality of our present circumstances. Dreamers must constantly ask the question “How do I get there from here?”

Jesus speaks of the kingdom of heaven as being like a small mustard seed. A seed in itself can do nothing. But when a man takes that tiny seed and plants it in his field, such a tiny thing grows and becomes the “largest of garden plants and becomes a tree.” We often try to create the tree by spending our time, energy and efforts hunting for trunks, limbs and branches. A tree cannot be constructed in this manner. Nothing of value can be quickly or easily obtained. Only those things which require the exercise of godly characteristics, such as patience, faithfulness, and perseverance, will yield the results that we truly treasure and value. In fact, what is truly of value are the inner attributes of strong godly character. The patience itself is of greatest value. The ability to persevere is of far greater value than the external objects we hold so dear. As you pursue your external dreams, remember that it is the little nurtured seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness…self control that are the makings of a strong and mighty tree that the birds of the air and the people around you will gather under for protection, guidance and strength. This is the essence of the kingdom of heaven!

Jesus also reminds us in this passage that His kingdom is constantly advancing. What appeared to be a tiny baby, born in a barn, and laid in a feeding trough designed for livestock, gradually became a teacher of a handful of disciples. He began to heal the sick, drive out demons, and set the captives free from slavery to sin. His life appeared to end in failure as he hung on a cross. But he lives in mighty resurrection power, waiting for His triumphant and victorious return to permanently establish the fullness of His kingdom! We have no need to be afraid of the apparent growth of evil. For the kingdom of God has grown into a mighty tree, the largest of all plants, and we are safe in its branches.

Keep on dreaming, but most of all, keep on planting!