My mother used to bake bread. She mixed everything from scratch. In would go the flour and eggs and salt, etc. But the most important ingredient to give the bread it's texture was yeast. Once the yeast was mixed in, it was time for the magic to begin. She would place the bowl of dough on a register and cover it with a dish towel. As the heat from the register activated the yeast, the dough would begin to rise, filling and sometimes overflowing the bowl. Magic.
I always wondered how such a small amount of yeast could make the dough rise so much. To be honest, it amazes me to this day. Yeast is a powerful agent. It doesn't just effect the small area immediately around it. It effects the whole batch.
However, if it's not activated or if it's bad, it does nothing. It just sits there among the rest of the ingredients and does nothing. Yeast is catalyst. Its purpose goes unfulfilled if never worked into the dough and activated.
Jesus said here in Luke 13 that Kingdom of God is like yeast that is worked into flour. Once it is worked in, the leavening process begins. It permeates all of society. Jesus used other analogies like the mustard seed that is planted and grows to be a tree in which the birds rest and nest. He talks about Kingdom being salt and light. The Kingdom is intended to be a positive influence in our neighborhoods and communities and countries and world.
But, in order for it to work as intended, it has to added and activated, planted and nurtured, lit and uncovered. God never intend for the yeast of the Kingdom of God to remain in its package. It is to be opened and mixed into the world. It was never intended to become like the world, but to influence the world.
Unfortunately, many believe serving God simply involves going to church, passing the plate, working in the kids department, singing in the choir or worship team, etc. Although those jobs, are helpful and necessary, they do little to influence our neighborhoods or communities.
To influence the part of world in which we live, we must get involved in the world around us. Faith was not intended to remain enclosed behind church doors. The Kingdom of was intended to be a blessing to the world. If never unleashed and mixed, it has no effect.
God, I want to have a leavening affect on my neighborhood. I want our church to leaven our community. Mix us into the flour of the this world.
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