“He gave them
another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took
and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all the
seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest garden plant and becomes a
tree, so that the wild birds come and nest in its branches.”
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman
took and mixed with three measures of flour until all the dough had risen.”~
Matthew 13:31-33
Concerning the 2nd Petition of the Lord’s
Prayer (“Your kingdom come”) Luther writes,” The kingdom of God comes indeed
without our prayer, of itself; but we pray in this petition that it may come
unto us also.” The kingdom of God comes on its own. God sent Jesus
into this world. Jesus died for our sins and ushered in God’s
salvation. God claimed us as his own beloved children through the saving
and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. This salvation has continued to come
to people through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The kingdom of God
grows and nothing can stop its growth in this world.
So, what is our role in all of this? We pray that
the kingdom may come upon us. We ask that God will keep us faithful in
proclaiming God’s saving work through Jesus Christ to this world. We hope
the Spirit will give us the gifts we need to proclaim God’s Word in what we say
and what we do. We devote ourselves to prayer, worship, Scripture
reading, and reflection so we might grow in our own faith. We share the
Word of God with others so that they might become followers of Christ as
well. The point is: God uses us for the work of the
kingdom!
How can God use (or continue to use) you for the work of
the kingdom?
1.
Pray about it. And when I mean pray, I
mean ask God the question, “How will you use me God?”…then listen. It is
in the prayerful listening we can hear the voice of God and feel the pull of
the Holy Spirit. I know the listening can be one of the hardest things
for me to do. Nevertheless, listening for the voice of God helps to place
me in God’s presence. When I am in God’s presence, I am more open to
hearing what God would have me do.
2.
Talk to a trusted church leader or friend who
might help you recognize your gifts. When I was called to the ministry of
Word and Sacrament I didn't just experience the inner call – the call of God.
I experienced the outer call – beloved church members who felt I had the
gifts and talents to pursue a calling to ordained ministry. Don’t be afraid to
ask.
3.
Take the opportunity to pursue a ministry endeavor
that you have never tried. It can be scary to try something new. We
might become anxious. But, we don't know how God can use us. Plus,
it is a wonderful opportunity to grow in our faith, ministry and mission.
I remember in college, a friend asked me to join a group who visited the local
state mental hospital. I was a bit scared at first. I didn't know
what I might encounter. After the first visit, I found I really enjoyed
it and my life was enriched because of those visits. I still remember Annie
– who didn’t like anyone else from the group – but would always walk briskly to
me, take my hand, and made me sit with her. To this day, she reminds me
how we are called to enter into the lives of the last, least, little, and lost
of this world.
I could probably continue, but I am going to end
here. Yes, God’s kingdom comes on its own, but God still wants to USE YOU
for the work of the kingdom.
In Christ – Pastor Maureen
