Tuesday 17 June 2008

Background

If the kingdom of God is the place where God's will is done, isit up to us? Is it our effort, our determination, our passion fordoing God's will which will make the kingdom?

This story describes something which grows without our knowinganything about it. It doesn't depend on our action at all. A seedis sown and then the farmer goes off and gets on with the everydaythings of life. Meanwhile, something is happening. The farmerdoesn't know how, but the seeds are sprouting and growing.

This might suggest that we should leave everything to God. Life isin God's hands, so let's not do anything. But the parable hasn'tfinished. When the plants are ready, then the farmer "at once" goesinto action, to harvest the grain.

So, on the one hand, it isn't up to us. The kingdom of God is God'sresponsibility, God's harvest, God's secret hidden action. But, onthe other hand, the farmer is ready for the right moment to act andwhen it comes, he acts "at once".

I remember going to an event at a school where the children hadsevere learning difficulties. The local refuse collectors (whosedepot was next door) had made a collection and bought a Christmaspresent for every child and every member of staff. One of themdressed as Father Christmas to hand them out. Everyone was happy. Ifound myself wondering where this little piece of God's kingdom hadcome from.

So the place of God's will doesn't depend on our actions. But whenwe see the signs of it we must respond "at once", join in and makethe most of the harvest of justice.

To Ponder

What sort of places do you see a piece of God'skingdom happening?

How can you respond?