Overcoming the Mustard Seed Mentality

Mark 4:30-32
"And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it GROWETH up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and shooteth out branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it."

Jesus asked a question, what's the kingdom of God like? The kingdom of God, he says, is like a grain of mustard seed. In this "mustard seed" parable Jesus begins to address one of the major mindsets of Christianity, what I call the mustard seed mentality. It's not what you would think, you see Jesus was addressing a mindset that would cause man to struggle with their ministry; and would cause many people to fall short of their purpose. What Jesus is saying is that there will come a time in the life of every believer when, without question, you you will suffer from the "less than" syndrome. This syndrome is dangerous and has critical side effects. With this "less than" syndrome you will become a small thinker, and will never allow yourself to grow into your potential. This "less than" syndrome will handicap your future and dwarf your growth! This syndrome is birthed from the hearts of impatient people, who are quick to compare themselves to their counterparts; their mistake, however, is comparing themselves while still in the seed stage! This happens in churches as well as saints, we see others who are bigger, more successful, and seem to have more going their way; and we feel inadequate and useless. You begin to question whether or not God will actually use you, or whether or not your church will ever see revival. The mustard seed mentality begins to become who you are, and you just settle for "less"....

But notice Jesus continues the parable by saying that the mustard seed, when it is sown, grows to such a degree that the birds of the air can live in the branches. Although that seed starts out small and seemingly insignificant, if that seed will submit to the process of growth, it has the potential to become great! What Jesus is trying to tell these people, and what I feel Jesus trying to get His church to understand now is this; stop looking at what you are now! Stop looking at what you have now! Stop looking at what talent you have now! You may not see it now, your family may not see it now, your church may not see it right now; but God has a purpose for you, and a destiny reserved for your future! Your not destined to be small! You're not destined to be less than every other church! God is wanting to release his presence in these last days, and if we'll allow the process to grow us, we will become that tree of destiny, and the birds of the air will dwell in our branches. Let me show you the revelation.....

Genesis 8:8-12
"Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him unto the ark, for the waters were on the face the of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark: and the dove came unto him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth."

This story is a multifaceted story; it reveals the historical plot of Noah and the flood, yet also reveals a prophetic insight into revival. God showed me this passage some time back, and I couldn't catch the fullness of what he was showing me until tonight. The dove that is sent out is symbolic of the spirit of God. The spirit is searching for a place to dwell. But as Noah soon found out, unless the waters subside and the trees grow up, the dove will always go back to the boat. What God is showing us here is an illustration into modern day religion. People are drowning in traditionalist doctrines, we are quick to hold to what the way it's always been done, yet hesitant to grasp the reality of truth. God has released his spirit upon the earth, and he's searching for a branch (church) to rest on! Only as the search progresses, the spirit is left without a habitation. What is happening is, people are conforming to the mustard seed mentality, and allowing the "less than" syndrome to define them. So instead of actively pursuing revival; they sit stagnant and never allow themselves or their churches to grow!

But, as Jesus taught his parable regarding the mustard seed, he reveals to us the grey areas of understanding. When, and only when, the seed allows itself to be changed by it's environment, and allows the water and the sun to develop it into what it's purpose is, will there be a habitation for the birds to rest in. This reveals to us a critical principle into the success of not only our individual lives, but also the success and eventual growth of a church. The Apostle Paul exposed this principle to the church of Galatia when he stated in Galatians 6:9, "And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." In the NIV version it reads this way, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!" Don't allow your mentality to become small by the weariness of life! Do not allow yourself to be conformed to the "less than" syndrome, if you can avoid the desire to give up, if you can avoid the temptation to throw in the towel; if you can avoid the mindset of smallness and realize, my due season is on it's way!!! Allow yourself to grow, and the harvest (birds) will find a home in your destiny!! and When God releases the dove (spirit) into the world, the dove will find a church to rest in!! And When the church is anointed by His spirit, and the people are empowered with determination and perseverance; we create an atmosphere conducive for a great revival, and a great harvest of souls!

Let's not become small thinkers in these last days, let's not judge our future by our present; buy into the vision of God, and allow yourself to be transformed into your purpose! Revival is looking for a home, the harvest is searching for a church, and within you is the ability to bring it into fruition! Remember no matter how small you seem, and no matter how small your church is; Jesus said the mustard seed is always the smallest in the beginning, but when God is allowed to have his way, the growth of that seed will exceed your wildest imaginations! For the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." In other words, your wildest imagination pales in comparison to the reality of the prepared destination!! It doesn't say to the most talented, or to the biggest church, it says to those that love him! This revival is not limited to the parameters of talent or connection, it is dependent solely on the ability of the seed to grow!