City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

18-19 Then he said, “How can I picture God’s kingdom for you? What kind of story can I use? It’s like an acorn that a man plants in his front yard. It grows into a huge oak tree with thick branches, and eagles build nests in it.”

20-21 He tried again. “How can I picture God’s kingdom? It’s like yeast that a woman works into enough dough for three loaves of bread—and waits while the dough rises.”

Luke 13:18-21 (MSG)

Aisha’s Analysis

The above verses clearly illustrate that life with God is a process. Further, they show us that we can’t always accurately estimate the way we’ll finish by looking at where we started. A good example from scripture is Joseph whose story is found in the Book of Genesis. He started off working the fields as a shepherd in the family business, was sold into slavery by his brothers, went to prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and ended up being second in command in Egypt! 

Another unexpected plot twist we find in the Bible is the story of Paul of Tarsus. He started out in the upper echelon of the Jewish community as a Pharisee of Pharisees who tirelessly persecuted believers in the early church, but later became an apostle who poured out his life for the propagation of the gospel and wrote a good portion of the New Testament. 

There’s no limit to what God can do in your life when you let Him in. He’s the ultimate change agent, yet He does so gently and deeply within us (like the yeast in the dough) for a far-reaching impact that reaches so much further beyond ourselves individually (like the mustard seed).

Application

It can be all too easy to underestimate what God can do in our lives based on our current status, but remember that life with God is so much more than you could ever imagine. In what ways have you placed a limit on yourself or a limit on God because you’re not as far along in life as you’d like to be? 

Today’s application is to take the limits off God. Let Him write your story. Dare to dream BIG. As a practical exercise, and because we’re close to the end of the year and thinking about new year’s resolutions, create a vision board for your life! I just did this with my friend, Heather Mattingly, and it was so much fun. Allowing yourself the space and time to seek God for a vision for your life is a total game changer and brings a fresh excitement and energy to life. 

It can be as easy as jotting down items on a notecard or as elaborate as pasting visuals to a poster board, but do something to create a tangible reminder of what God can do in you and through you, and take steps to allow Him to move in your daily life. 

Prayer

Father God, forgive me for the ways in which I’ve limited You from having Your way in my life. Show me how to take the limits off. Show me that life with You is more than I could ever imagine. Thank You for placing me on Your chosen path. I want to walk in faith, believing in You every step of the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.