Dear Readers,

In preparation for our year looking at Jesus’ example in the gospels, from time to time we will “replay” some older devotionals. We pray these get you excited for this new year of study together and for what God is going to do as we continue “Living By His Example.”

“Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?”[It is] like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” Mark 4:30-32

A Very Small Thing

The Army base my son served at received a visit from the Seattle Seahawks (a professional football team, for those of you who donʼt follow sports). The Seahawks went to the base to meet the troops, sign autographs, and chat it up with those who are serving in the military. My son, who is a diehard 49ers fan, still enjoyed meeting the quarterback of the Seahawks, Russell Wilson. They talked a few minutes, had their picture taken together on my sonʼs cell phone, and then this famous man graciously signed the glossy photo magazine the troops had been given.

My son showed the autograph to me when we visited him. I looked at it closely, and said, “Hey, I think he put a Scripture under his name!”

We held the photo closer, and my son said, “Well, that could be a Scripture, I guess.” (Yes, the handwriting was messy, no doubt done very quickly as there were a lot of men and women waiting in line for an autograph.)

“I think it says Matthew 6:33,” I said. I grabbed my cell phone, loaded up the Bible program, and looked up the Scripture. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Russell Wilson could not possibly have known that my son was raised in a Christian home, and had made a few wrong turns lately. But here was a man he respected for his position and hard work and, yes, his fame, giving him a word from the Lord.

I wondered how long this word might have sat unnoticed in the glossy magazine. How it might never have been the reminder it was intended to be. How it might have stayed hidden, had God not prompted my son to show me this keepsake he was so proud of. But we have a promise that Godʼs Word never returns void. It always goes forth for His purposes.

It was just a little thing on Russell Wilsonʼs part, but potentially life-changing for my son.

Can we do the same for others? Give seemingly small touches that have potentially huge benefits, or can even change a lifeʼs direction?

What small thing have you done that changed a life or brought benefit to another? Or what has been done for you that changed you? 

“Dear Lord, would You show us when and where to give those cups of cold water in Your Name? Help us be responsive when You nudge us to help others or plant that tiny mustard seed. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen.”