Mustard Seed Spirituality
Originally sent November 23, 2024
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches. Matthew 13:31-32
“Go Big or Go Home” was the message I internalized during my early faith journey. The basic idea was to go all in, bet everything, and attempt something great for God. I love how Jesus breaks with conventional wisdom that bigger is better. Small and seemingly insignificant beginnings can grow into something abundant and beautiful. As our world moves faster and our culture becomes more obsessed with results it can be challenging to be satisfied with planting small seeds and waiting for things to grow.
Perhaps when Jesus spoke of the mustard seed, He was inviting us to shift our focus from the measurable to the relational. A seed doesn’t strive or hurry—it simply grows as it is nourished. Similarly, our spiritual growth often happens in the small, quiet places: a moment of stillness, a whispered prayer, or a creative expression of gratitude. These practices are small seeds that help us pay attention to God and enable us to experience his leading. The kingdom of God grows in us like that mustard seed. Over time, these simple moments create space for the Spirit to work, expanding our capacity for love, joy, and trust.
I’ve been learning a bit about how our brains shape our spiritual lives. Much of our modern spiritual formation trains us to focus on left-brain thinking: knowledge, memorization, goals, and problem-solving. While these are valuable, they can keep us from experiencing the relational, intuitive, and creative right-brain ways of connecting with God. The right brain, where imagination and attachment thrive, is where we grow in love, trust, and spiritual intimacy.
Here are two (mustard seed) spiritual practices to help you move your spiritual formation in a more right brain direction.
Breath Prayer: This ancient practice is simple and grounding, perfect for calming the mind and inviting you into God’s presence. As you inhale, use the simple phrase, “In Christ”. Then follow with the exhale choosing one of the benefits that Jesus provides: “I Am satisfied” or “I am free” or “I am forgiven”.
Prayer Walk: Take a slow, outdoor walk paying attention to the small details you often overlook—the rustle of leaves, the warmth of the sun, or the way the wind moves. Express gratitude to God for what you see and feel. This practice combines physical movement with right-brain awareness, helping you connect with God in the present moment.
These practices might be especially helpful over Thanksgiving and Christmas when life can get a bit stressful. Let me know if you try one!
