Mark Carey writes

We were thinking about the parable of the mustard seed and the yeast from Matthew 13 on Sunday. It is simple and yet so profound – a small mustard seed is planted and grows into a tree in which birds can nest. A tiny amount of yeast mixed into flour affects the whole dough dramatically. Jesus is saying that this is what His kingdom is like – a small thing that makes a big difference. In this topsy turvy kingdom of God small is big!

Attached to this is a picture of communal artwork emerged out of the first Scripture Art Workshop at St Magnus, Bessingby led by Sue Harris. A beautiful visual interpretation of the parable of the mustard seed. At St Magnus we are seeing the outworking of this parable – a small group of people following Jesus, doing the things they sense He wants them to do – and the signs of the kingdom are becoming visible.

The same day, Sunday, that I saw this artwork, I also went to Westhill and after a wonderful time with the St Mark’s morning congregation I had the privilege, along with Emma Miles, of celebrating in the waters of Baptism with four adults who have experienced the transforming work of the kingdom in their lives. From small seeds of faith planted in relationships with others, in a growing community where the ‘yeast’ of the kingdom is seen in various ways. Through the loving service to the local community of the Love Westhill Pantry, the authentic Love Westhill ‘faith-family’ formed around shared food, prayer, bible, and honesty about the reality of life – the kingdom is coming. Four people were baptised and made a public declaration of their relationship with God, His people and His Kingdom.

One of the things I found myself saying that day to those who had been baptised was this: “Be a small thing that makes a big difference!” That is what a kingdom of heaven person is. We embody the kingdom, we are yeast in the dough.

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant”.

Robert Louis Stevenson