Lofty Goals

Yesterday, I stopped over at Sacred Space to see the reading for the day and found this:

In Jesus’ parables, the kingdom of God advances not by fireworks and peak experiences, but by trickling increment – by quiet, organic growth like the mustard seed or the leaven in the lump. Thank you, Lord, for the high moments; but when they are past, let me be good leaven.

Let me be good leaven…what a wonderful thought. After three years of fireworks and peak experiences, my life has finally settled down to a more normal routine again. The Holy Spirit – once a roaring fire in my belly – now seems to have turned into more of a smoldering ember, stoking the fire to keep it alive and then backing off to see how I will use what He’s stirred up in me. It’s no longer as dramatic as the first two years after I came to Christ but, in a way, it’s even better. God does advance His kingdom using fireworks and peak experiences but not for every single person every single day. It is in these quieter times – the times where we make the small decisions like whether or not to smile at a stranger or take the time to pray for a neighbor – these are what make the leaven of His kingdom truly change and grow.

I am not a big fan of making New Year’s resolutions but I do seem to be facing the coming year with some rather lofty goals. I will be turning 49 next month (talk about a shock of reality!) and would really rather not be “fat and 50” so losing some weight and getting my body back into shape is a top priority. Many of you also know about my goal to get my finances under control, live on a budget for the first time in my adult life and become what my pastor calls “a generous giver” while proving that generosity is reciprocated by God Almighty. That goal will be closely followed by my financial counselor at church as well as on my other blog that I’ve dedicated to the challenge.

But, if I have one real wish for the New Year, it would be this: Lord, let me be good leaven. It doesn’t get much simpler or more profound than that, does it? I may not have the ability to heal people’s illnesses like Christ did but I can help heal their hearts. I may not be able to bring their loved ones back to life like my Savior did but I can walk beside them in their grief. I won’t be making the life-altering decision to follow God’s will all the way to death on the cross but I can pick up my own cross each day and take another step.

And so it starts, one clump of yeast that God dropped into a bit of flour almost four years ago…it’s been bubbling up inside me all this time, growing and expanding me in ways I never dreamed would be possible. It is now time to add in all the other ingredients and throw the first loaf in the oven…saving off a bit of starter for the next batch…and the next…and the next. And so it is with my wish for the coming year…

Lord, let me be good leaven.

May His peace be with you as you welcome in another new year.

Love,
Jules