You may feel as though you are “coming down the mountain” from Ignite Conference 2023, and are perhaps disheartened and worried about how you’ll continue to keep this spark alive in your heart as you enter back into reality. That’s fair- it’s not easy to share our experience of Christ with our school friends, work colleagues, and sometimes even our family, but let me encourage you to see the opportunity that God places before you in this time.
The parable of the fig tree within this particular Gospel further highlights that it is in fact the small things that guide us to the greater truth; the greater victory; the greater life. Tree’s are like the big events of this world- they consume a lot of ground, and are so easily generalised that it’s hard to tell what season it is just by observing from afar. But when we take a closer look, it is through observing the leaves of the tree and their sprouts- the small parts- that reveal to us what season it is, and what season is coming. Similarly, when we focus on Christ alone as the centre of all things- not just the big- and abide by his words of truth and his simple, humble way of life, we will no longer find ourselves distracted and consumed by mainstream events of this world.
Jesus too proclaims that “for it is from within, from the human heart, the evil intentions come… all these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Sometimes we are so focused on creating an image of ourselves to others, that we forget that the person we become is defined by the values we hold within our hearts and uphold each day.
Every day the world reminds us how small we are; how seemingly insignificant we are and our actions are. But not with Jesus. His coming paved the way for us to reach the many. How? He gave thanks (John 6:11). He had faith that his Father would provide. He knew that his humble actions would reach the hearts of the 5000 and beyond.
