“He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” Luke 13:18-19 (ESV)
I sat in the car listening to the sound on the roof.
It was raining and eventually my patience was rewarded as the clouds wearied of their charge.
I walked and after a while, a cold sensation touched my legs. I stopped to look down to see the rainwater’s tidemark on my trousers. My eye alighted onto a piece of rotting tree-trunk nearby. It was covered in grey-green lichen in bloom, its hues in beautiful contrast to the browns of the wood and the wet earth below. Unlike the raindrops, I gladly soaked this beauty in.
From this place of stillness, I looked up into the field of corn. As my eyes focused in on their target, I realized that what had caught my eye were the twitching ears of a doe hidden amongst the ears of cereal. Close by was another young doe, and as I moved towards them, they bounded off.
Recently I saw a Bullfinch with its vibrant red breast and black cap.
I perceive God’s presence in nature as I walk because, in the peace within this postage stamp of creation, I become attuned to the stillness of His indwelling.
I believe that as we are still long enough in His Word, Jesus is found indwelling by the revelatory presence of the Holy Spirit. Just like my experiences in nature that have soaked into my being during my walks in the countryside, He too is willing to show me new insights that soak and indwell.
As the mustard seed small in the palm of the Sowers hand that once planted and watered became a tree, so my relationship with Him has grown and brought security for me and others I pass this on to: those who come my way. They too, once planted, grow and experience Him on their own account.
PRAYER: LORD, Thank You Lord, for always being there when we reach out to touch Your presence by Your Grace. You have set us free to soak up life with You. Shine the light of Your Presence through all our doing and indwell our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
by Rod Marshall
used by permission