Treasure Valley Prays

The Kingdom of God

seeds of wheat

Mark 4:26-29 NRSV
26 He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27 and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”

The earth produces of itself. I grew up in dry land – wheat and barley country like I am sure many of you also did. The town our home was in was within what they called the “triangle” area. It was an area with many wheat fields you could see for miles and miles. Since there was so much farming, many young people like myself, learned to drive truck during the harvest to bring the grain to the bins either to be sold right away or stored to sell later when the prices might (?) rise.

As researchers seek remedies, medications and vaccines for the current Novel virus, do we see where the seeds are planted that could grow into that remedy to resolve this serious problem? We see the seeds in the physicians, nurses and other medical staff who expose themselves to the deadly virus to care for everyone. We see seeds of God’s Kingdom in the behavior of most people who keep their social distancing. We see the seeds of love in people connecting in different ways to those who are in isolation—particularly retirement and nursing homes, hospitals and parts of the world that have closed their borders completely. Today, they are passing out rapid testing for the virus. The quicker the results and the more we can test will help reduce the effects of the virus. These tests are more seeds to help God’s Kingdom.

We are the seeds that God needs for his Kingdom today. We love his creation and that includes us all. By sharing His love through our actions to those in real need today, we are the truck drivers bringing in the harvest. We are setting examples to others by sending letters, making calls, texting, emailing, Facetiming, Skyping, etc. with others who need our contact now. They need to know they are loved by God and by us.

Thank you first for being the seed that will grow God’s Kingdom while we struggle with resolving this virus and then thank you for being the truck driver bringing in the harvest of generosity for all creation.

Prayer...

Creator God, create in us the seeds you want us to be for all of your wonderous creation. Grow us in communion with each other even while we are isolated. Let the earth of itself produce caring and sharing for all of humanity during our hour of need. Show us how to deliver the harvest of love you share with all of us in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen

Paul Malek

Paul Malek

ELCA Pastor
St. Paul Lutheran, Ontario OR

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Laurel Simos Redeemer Lutheran Boise

    Thank you for building a bridge for those Of us at home Watching the spring flowers and praying!

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