Today some of us have the opportunity to go to the village of Pintik (pronounced Pin-TEEK). This village has a reputation for being hostile to Christianity. For several years, our contact and several local pastors have been trying to grow a church in the village, but no fruit has ever come from their efforts. After hearing this, my squad-mate Kristin felt God placing a burden upon her heart to go to Pintik and prayer walk. Today a group of us is going out to do just that. God is sending us out as soldiers into one of the Enemy’s strongholds. Our focus today is to pray, plant seeds, and lay a foundation of prayer in this village in order to usher in God’s Kingdom.
We have already experienced spiritual attack leading up to today. The way I see it, Satan is pretty unhappy with what we are doing here and is trying to hit us where it hurts. Regardless of the opposition, we are going out to be obedient to the Holy Spirit. We do not expect to see any immediate fruit today, but we are being faithful to do the work God has assigned us. Jesus described His Kingdom as a mustard seed. It begins as a tiny seed – barely noticeable – but grows into a huge tree that provides shelter and shade. Today we go out to plant mustard seeds, trusting that God will grow His Kingdom in His perfect timing.
This morning I read Hebrews 11. Hebrews 11:1 stood out in particular. It says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” I felt that God spoke to me through that verse. Here is what I heard Him saying to me:
Keep walking in faith, even when you do not see any results. Keep planting seeds, even if the field still appears barren. Be faithful to what I have called you to. Look forward to that which is not yet seen. Press on. Press on. Press on! Usher in the Kingdom. Do you trust that I will be faithful to my promises? Cling to the hope that you have in me. I promised, and I am faithful. Let me work behind the scenes, under the surface; you be obedient to the tasks I give you. Do not grow weary in doing good. Remember the mustard seed? My Kingdom is like that. And all you need is faith like a mustard seed to move mountains.
I write this blog to be an encouragement to you. Are there things that you have been praying and working for without seeing any apparent results? Do not become weary in doing good. Press into what God has called you to. Let God do His work while you continue to be obedient to His leading. Maybe God has called you to plant seeds and someone else to harvest them. Keep looking forward to what you do not yet see. God can grow those tiny mustard seeds into a beautiful tree that gives shelter and shade to all who come under its branches. That is the essence of faith.
