“Sometimes growing God’s Kingdom means slowing down and becoming small.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 11, 2025
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 seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32
Perhaps you’ve come across the old adage, “The best time to plant a tree was a hundred years ago,” or the campaign slogan, “Plant a tree for your tomorrow.” Both tag lines get at the idea that people in our day don’t have time for slow growth. We are in a hurry and we want to see a return on our labour now. We are whirlwinds of activity – often of the good and meaningful sort. But in our rush to do more and to be more, how easy it is to overlook something as minuscule as a mustard seed. And yet Jesus said his Kingdom was just like that tiny speck of a seed. It might not look important or productive. It might seem very insignificant indeed. But slow down and tend to it, and it will grow to overshadow all of man’s mightiest deeds and achievements.
Have you become too busy for the slowness and littleness of growing God’s Kingdom? Fearful of not doing enough to earn your significance? It’s a question I have to stop and ask myself frequently. I think of Martha hustling through all the to-dos on her list, anxiously trying to make everything just perfect for her guests. And boy do I relate to her! But how I long to grow into a Mary, able to set aside the hustle, slow down, and sit at my Master’s feet long enough to glimpse the mustard seed in his hand; to take time to lovingly cultivate the Kingdom right before me, as tiny or as mundane as it may appear; to trust that He is growing it into a tree spacious enough to house all the birds of the air.
How can you slow down and become small enough to make room for the Kingdom in your own life, first in your own heart as you sit and listen at Jesus’ feet, and then as you take the seed into your own field of relationships? Who in your life needs a touch of God’s grace, a comforting cuddle, a cup of tea, a word of encouragement, a prayer? These tiny seeds planted, day in and day out, will grow to produce the fruit of eternity.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, show me where you would have me cultivate your Kingdom in the smallness of my own daily life. Help me to slow down and take time to sit at your feet. Grow your Kingdom in my own heart so that I will have good seed to sow.
Application
Make time for the Kingdom this week. Where is one place you might sow a mustard seed?
Related Reading
Matthew 6:33; Matthew 25:40; Luke 10:38-42
Worship Resource
Sandra McCraken and Jon Guerra: The Kingdom of Jesus
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