GREAT THINGS TAKE TIME

Dining with Jesus Christian Episodes

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Have you ever felt like you are not growing in your spiritual maturity as quickly as you should? Relax. Good things take time to develop. We cannot rush the development of the strength that is developed through times of testing, nor can we rush the wisdom that comes as we add layer after layer of knowledge and faithfulness. 

Jesus Christ spoke about the development of our faithful maturity using a simple analogy that speaks volumes to those seeking spiritual growth. 

30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

(Mark 4:30-32 NIV11)

Layers

From my perspective, this parable has many layers of meaning, some of which are found below:

  •  Like a seed, our faith in Jesus starts small, but it grows bigger over time. 
  •  The seed is not the source of power and energy that leads to its growth. The seed needs the external gifts of sun, soil, water, and protection from attack in order to sprout and grow. So it is with us. The Lord provides what we need. 
  •  As we mature and grow, we become a resource and blessing to others. The seed eventually crosses over from needing help to providing.

Change

I want to focus on one more aspect of this parable that the Lord has used to speak to me about my own maturity and growth. 

To become what it was intended to be, the seed must give up on being a seed. It cannot remain as it is, no matter how much it likes being a seed. Growth requires surrender and change. 

Too often, we are told that we are good enough the way we are and that we should just embrace our situation and our condition in life and learn to love who we are. Imagine telling that to the seed. 

The Lord has much bigger plans for you and me than whatever it is we are experiencing today. But we will not grow and become who the Lord is calling us to be unless, like the seed, we give up on being who we are in exchange for who the Lord is making us as we allow him to lead us into what is next. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you that you have received my seedlike faith, small and fragile, and you have sheltered me and cared for me so that I continue to grow and mature. Thank you for never giving up on me, even when I wanted to give up on me. You are a loving and caring gardener of my soul, and I thank you. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN


Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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