The Mustard Seed Conspiracy

I have a close relative who I love and admire very much.  When we get together he is fascinated by world events and people who are planning to take over the world. I am not sure if he hears about most of this from his church or other associates. Maybe he has solid facts behind these theories, I do not know.

Lately I have been thinking about sharing with him some convictions I have come to hold after many years of studying the bible and history. I found a book in a used book store entitled, "The Mustard Seed Conspiracy." The title intrigued me. I have seen how faith in Christ has grown from a tiny movement in a insignificant part of the world to a world-wide belief that is hugely diverse. I have met people in countries where we could barely understand one another's speech, but our hearts connected and our faces lit up for the love of our Savior.

The early Christians had no political or military power to speak of and yet hearts were changed by the Gospel until even the rulers in the Roman Empire had to contend with it. The Kingdom of God can often be so hidden and imperceivable that we might begin to think we are losing ground all along. I am praying and perhaps you will pray with me that I can help him see more of what God is doing everywhere and to change his focus a bit. From my perspective there is little I can do to stop let alone understand what is going on behind the scenes in this world of lies and deception. I can however consider the prayer of Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

Not only that. I can derive great confidence from the Word of God that we are not losing ground in the end. There I find that the "knowledge of the glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea." "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ."