small

“Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?” Luke 13:18

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Luke 13:24

First Jesus searches for the right story or word picture to describe the Kingdom of God to his listeners. He describes the kingdom as a tiny seed that, when planted, grows into a huge tree that eagles nest in. He also describes it as yeast that is kneaded into flour and works its way all through the dough, enabling the dough to rise and become tasty, nourishing bread. Then a passerby asks Jesus if only a few people will be saved, and Jesus replies with an encouragement to enter through the “narrow gate”. “Hmm, what does that mean,” you ask, “and what does it have to do with metaphors about seeds and yeast?” Hmm, I wonder, too.

As I ponder the seeds and yeast, some sense begins to emerge. In each case, the kingdom is described as something that begins very small and grows very large. In each case, the kingdom is described as something that is very commonplace; something that you could easily take for granted and overlook as being too ordinary and too simple to devote any real thought or reflection to. Yet, in each case, something very essential is provided: energy that enables growth to occur and its host to “rise”. Though humans must make some effort, to plant a seed and knead some dough, in each case, it is God and God alone who enables the transformation to occur. THIS is how Jesus describes the Kingdom of God!

Because God’s kingdom is so simple and ordinary in nature, it does require special effort and attention to notice it and appreciate it for what it is, and to value it correctly. This effort, attention, noticing, appreciating and valuing are required for us to enter into God’s kingdom—it’s what enables us to know God so intimately that we see and recognize God in all things every day. I believe this intimate knowing and seeing to be the “narrow gate” that Jesus describes—the narrow way that enables us to enter into God’s kingdom on God’s terms, not our own. This requires intentionality on my part, but it also requires that once I’ve done my small part I must be willing to take my hands off of it and trust God to do the rest, as God sees fit. So, what makes this a “narrow” way? Not all will take the time and exert the energy to pursue God’s kingdom in this manner. It sounds so simple—possibly far too simple for some people to grasp or accept. Many of us devise our own requirements and criteria for entering God’s kingdom without realizing it, unconsciously believing that we know better than God what the “narrow gate” should look like and consist of. I believe that only brings frustration and despair, preventing us from entering when we expect to be welcomed in. That’s part of the paradox and mystery of the Kingdom of God. That’s what trips us up and leaves us out in the cold—unless we’re intentionally focusing our eyes and ears to see and hear God in and through the simple, the small, and the ordinary of every day life. Though our world encourages us to “live large,” remember that God can always be found in the small.