Did you know that an individual mustard seed is 100X to 200X smaller than the smallest objects seen by most flying birds?
During last Wednesday’s
post-run coffee, one of the runners shared that his neighbor Joe (not his real name) committed
suicide the previous day. Joe left
behind his wife and children. Joe
lived in an upscale Dallas neighborhood, driving luxury automobiles.
Based on
descriptions shared, this business owner appeared to “have it all.” However, his
business was evidently failing and his debt, including credit cards, escalated.
Unfortunately, Joe lost hope. He
could no longer see a viable path to resolving his life’s challenges.
Unfortunately, Joe’s
story is too familiar. Stories remain of a few investors choosing suicide after
the Stock Market crash of 1929.
A former friend told about one their family friends who leapt to her death many years ago from a bridge stretching over the Missouri River between Omaha and Council Bluffs due to hopelessness caused by debt accumulated from gambling.
A former friend told about one their family friends who leapt to her death many years ago from a bridge stretching over the Missouri River between Omaha and Council Bluffs due to hopelessness caused by debt accumulated from gambling.
In the past year,
other running friends have shared that friends of their children chose suicide.
Whether the hopelessness arises from financial pressure, social pressure, or
any number of challenges in life; those committing suicide see no other way of
escaping.
Regardless of the
external and psychological cause, each become blind to any hope!
While I am deeply
saddened when hearing of suicides, I do not condemn them as a person may choose
in only a relatively short time to make a permanent decision. For example, a
suicide prevention psychologist spoke to our high school psychology class in the
1980s. He told of a man who attempted to shoot himself in the head, fortunately
this man survived.
The man later shared
with our guest speaker that the instant he pulled gun’s trigger everything went
into slow motion, including the bullet spiraling down the barrel. He immediately
regretted his decision. Fortunately, this person survived. I reflect on this
story each time I hear of someone committing suicide.
Regardless of your
challenges in life, the hope of God found in the Lord Jesus Christ by the power
of the Holy Spirit always exists.
Just because you fail to see it in your dark moments, know that God is with you
and loves you. Seek Him! For example, in Mark 4:30-32 Jesus compares the
Kingdom of God to a mustard seed.
The Kingdom of God
And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable
shall we present it? “It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the
soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, yet when
it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms
large branches; so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR can NEST UNDER ITS SHADE.” (Mark
4:30–32)
The kingdom of God resides in each of those who know Jesus
Christ (1
Corinthians 6:19–20; NASB95). Did you know that an individual
mustard seed is 100X to 200X smaller than the smallest objects
seen by most flying birds?
The diameter of a mustard seed measures an
infinitesimal 1 mm to 2 mm; the size of one particle of fine sand or approximately
4/1,000 the size of a Corn Seed. Conversely, most birds cannot see objects smaller than 20 cm[i].
However, Jesus instructs us that this dust sized seed that
is invisible to the birds of the air will in few short weeks provide food,
rest, shade, and shelter for a group of birds.
Amazingly, this near microscopic seed[ii] contains every molecule
of genetic information necessary to grow, flourish, and significantly affect
the world. Within only a few weeks, this miniscule seed that is too small for
the birds of the air to see, will soar to heights of eight to twelve feet and house
and feed those same birds. Just as the seed is complete, so is the word of God.
Therefore, your hope in God remains complete even when you cannot see it amidst
your otherwise seemingly hopeless circumstances. If you or someone you know
becomes blind to hope, direct them to the appropriate help.
Running on Faith
is trusting in the presence of the Kingdom of God, which is the power of God in
Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. This trust exists whether God’s
presence seems like the mustard seed is too small to see, or the evidence of God’s
power is as magnificent as a full grown mustard tree supporting the birds of
the air.
Yes, God will create a path out of your challenges. It may
not be easy or quick. Yet, He will come to your aide and He does and will love
you and your family beyond your wildest imaginations.
Always Trust God!!!
Rick E. Meyer
Running on Faith Ministry
Dallas, TX
http://www.rickemeyer.com
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