Mark Photos - 4:26-29 - Growing
The Parable of the Growing Seed Then Jesus said, “God’s kingdom is like seed thrown on a field by a man who then goes to bed and forgets about it. The seed sprouts and grows—he has no idea how it happens. The earth does it all without his help: first a green stem of grass, then a bud, then the ripened grain. When the grain is fully formed, he reaps—harvest time!
----
There is a pattern of the last few stories with another to come after this one. Seeds growing into something far greater. This one reminds us of the one who is ultimately in control. We can plant a seed, we can water it, we can do all that, but ultimately growth is in the hands of the creator - the one who formed it all in the first place. This is a good reminder for me after a challenging day of ministry with lots of questions that are running around in my (and others) hearts and minds. The woman that I shared of yesterday continues to hold on even as her family surrounds her and waits for her to let go. Then today we had another of our congregation's members die very very unexpectedly. When I went to the hospital to visit, it sounded beforehand like it was a "normal" visit, only to find that he died just a few minutes before I arrived. I could not believe what I heard. In times like this, I feel like I live a contradiction. I believe wholeheartedly that God is present through all of these things and that God is at work. Yet, I cannot let go of the why's. I cannot let go of wanting to ask the one who takes those seeds and transforms them into something greater. Maybe that's some of what is in this - the brother today who passed away...he has been transformed into something far beyond what he has ever been. And that transformation awaits our sister who continues to struggle. While that all is true...I still wrestle and grieve the loss and the impending loss of these two dear people and for their families.