Present Circumstances Don’t Determine Future Possibilities
For the sake of today’s message, the present circumstances that I want to focus on are those circumstances that are messy, uncomfortable, far away from our expectations. Those circumstances that have us feeling small and at times uncertain. It is at these times of the smallness and uncertainty, where the power of God and growth through Jesus Christ can be seen in our individual lives and our collective lives. The key is opening our spiritual eyes as we discover
- The mystery of Growth
- Where the power of Growth is hidden
- Where growth can be seen
We will come back to that
Present Circumstances Don’t Determine Future Possibilities
Growing up in the 70’s my mother and I lived in a small apartment off of 31st and Paseo. We received public assistance as my mother worked nights as a waitress. Although my mother graduated with her high school diploma she would admit that she didn’t receive all that she needed and was passed on. It was because of her learning deficiencies that she was determined that her children would get a better education. She installed in me a love for reading, for learning and the library. Because we did not have a car, we either walked or rode public transportation to the library. To my mother, education was the key to achieve a brighter future. Even with her hardships, she was determined to show me that you can do anything if you put your mind to it; so one Summer in the mid 70’s, mom started college with me in tow. She was determined not to let her present circumstances at the time: a statistic divorced single black undereducated mother determine her future or the future of her son. We all know that life is unpredictable and things happen that are not planned. Well things happened that year and mom had to work in other to take care of me. Discouraged she put that aside and did what she had to do to take care of her family. She had no idea that some thirty years later that the same little boy that sat with her in her college classes would not hold a degree from that same community college but teach there as well.
All three of her children would become college educated.
Present Circumstances Don’t Determine Future Possibilities
As we look at our scripture today please know that in these parables there is a message for Crossroads and all of those who take residence in the Kingdom.
Parables, they can be tricky. Jesus spoke in parables for multiple reasons. Very strategic, his detractors were ready to pounce at any minute and ready to accuse Jesus of an offense, so he spoke in parables with truth in his words and revealed to those who spiritual ears and spiritual eyes were open. His parables were meant to enlighten the true hearted, cause the listener think, cause those who were on the sidelines spirituality to choose and be accountable for their choices and lastly by speaking in parables Jesus fulfilled prophecy.
In Mark 4:26-34, we see the parable of the growing seed. And this parable there are three points
- The mystery of Growth
Power of growth and mystery is that it happens beyond our eyes. Right now all we may see is that we are a congregation in transition made up of individuals who may be going through our own transitions.
We don’t see the growth in the beginning stages but we see it over time
While we sleep growth happens, when our days on earth or over what the Lord has planted will continue to grow
- Where the power of Growth is hidden The seed
From the smallest source comes the potential of expansive growth
God’s Word and truth through Jesus Christ is the seed and the soul is our soul the Holy Spirit works with the seed and our soul
From that seed grows the potential of protection, potential of shelter, strength, comfort and love
III. Where growth can be seen
Growth is in the heart and life
Growth spiritual growth
God’s Word and truth through Jesus Christ is the seed and the soil is our soul the Holy Spirit works with the seed and our soul and our actions should show this.
Present Circumstances Don’t Determine Future Possibilities
So here we are Crossroads part of God’s Kingdom part of the now
Excellent blog