City Life Starter

I. The Word: Mark 4:30-32

30 Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? 31 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, 32 but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.” (NLT)

II. Study Questions

1. In your personal life and experience, who are the people in your life who can hurt you the most? Those who are closest to you or people you hardly know?

2. Who are the people in your life whom you rely on the most? Who is your “emergency contact?”

3. If you knew you were moments away from dying, what would you do? What would be the most pressing thing to do in those last few moments?

Over the past 10 years since I’ve surrendered my life to Christ and grown as a Christian, one thing I have learned about God is just how relational He really is.

Before I had a relationship with God, I viewed much of life as a big to-do list. I was so focused on the things that needed to be done, I forgot all about enjoying life and cultivating the relationships God blessed me with. I was only ever at peace with myself and the world around me when I felt like things were going according to my plan.

Then God entered the picture and He turned my whole world upside down. It was no longer about what I wanted to do because all I wanted was Him. I got a glimpse of His eternal nature and realized something that changed me forever: He actually wanted me just for me. I didn’t have to make straight A’s or complete a to-do list to be accepted. I had only to receive His unconditional love and abundant grace.

That kind of love is revolutionary. It will transform you from the inside out. When I personally experienced how much God loves me, I responded to Him in complete surrender. The more I got to know God, the more I began to learn how much He loves people. The more I learned about His Kingdom and His way of doing things, the more I saw how He works through people and helps to create and build relationships to carry out His will.

For all of the introverted and ultra-busy people reading this, I’m sure you’re probably thinking relationships are way too draining and time-consuming. That may be true to some extent, but I think they are far more rewarding and certainly worth taking the time to cultivate.

There are many kinds of relationships: covenant relationships like your relationship with God or the marriage relationship. There are also family members, friendships with other believers, mentorship relationships, discipleship relationships, business relationships, and relationships with the world around you. In His infinite wisdom, God has chosen to surround us with relationships, and they have a tremendous impact on us and the world around us.

In a book entitled “The Hidden Life of Trees,” author Wohlleben writes that “within the roots of trees are active, brain-like processes that allow trees to communicate with and learn from other trees.

Forests are social networks in which individual trees warn each other of impending dangers, such as insect infestations, and care for their sick and elderly — and trees live shorter lives if they grow in isolation and can’t connect with each other through this social network, Wohlleben writes.”

I find it fascinating that the trees that grow in isolation live shorter. I think the same is true for people. We may not appreciate it all the time, but we as humans are designed for community. Community promotes health, creativity, accountability, and general well-being, among so many other things.

Today’s scripture describes God’s Kingdom like a mustard seed which eventually grows into a vibrant tree that sustains other forms of life. What a great analogy for God’s Kingdom. As believers, we are all connected by our faith in Jesus Christ. As we grow in Christ, we not only bless those within our own community, but we end up blessing the entire world.

I encourage you today to think about the potential you have to impact one’s life for the better. This could mean sharing a bright smile and encouraging conversation with the cashier at a checkout counter or maybe giving your spouse a genuine compliment and hug. Whatever it may be, I hope you begin to see that your life is not your own. We are living for the Lord and for each other. The more you give of yourself in surrender to God’s will, the more you’ll see life and more life.

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.” (John 12:24 NLT)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank you for blessing me with the people You have divinely placed in my life. It’s no accident. Help me to treat those people like Jesus would. I pray Your love would flow through me to others. May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.