It's early in the morning. And for the first time this YEAR, I'm going to spend some devotional alone-time with the scripture. It has been a while. Not only have I lost touch with this blog, but with God as the center of my life (or as anything, really). Nothing happened, in case anyone got worried. I haven't opened Photoshop in a while either... Needless to say, I've been preoccupied with other things (school mostly). A while back in 2011 I was so determined to do frequent devotions and this I have failed after a few months. Time to get back on track here! Some friends and I have been struggling to find time for daily devotions (REAL time, NO distractions) and we have decided to remind each other every other night. But still, it's hard to not be lazy...
Resources: How to Study God's Word and Great Principles of Bible Study
I guess this passage is a good place to restart. In Luke 13:18, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to (1) a grain of mustard seed, and (2) a leaven (bread dough). But not just those things per se. The small grain of mustard seed had to be taken by man and sowed in his garden before it became a tree. The lump dough had to be leavened by woman to produce bread.
I reread this passage several times. Why did he use these parables? The kingdom of God IS life. The real life, anyhow. And in these examples, as far as literature goes, I would think both the tree and the bread are symbols of life. There's this idea of transformation -- from something that, on its own, seems meaningless, but when added to something, it is changed. I guess this is how we come to desire God's kingdom. It begins with something small; perhaps a curiosity, or a need for truth, or an answered prayer. Then, with time, we begin to transform. It's like telling your testimony. How you came to believe and trust in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
These were my thoughts for now. It doesn't hurt to write down whatever comes to mind, even if nothing does come to mind when reading the passage. As long as you spend some time devoting on a piece of scripture, in some ways, as you delve into it more and more, new insights will be revealed to you. That's what I think and hope at least.
