Planting Small Seeds That Reap Big Rewards
LYSA TERKEURST
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“… The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)
Isn’t it easy to overlook small opportunities to help others because we don’t think it would make a real difference? Little acts of kindness, chances to help another person, will pass us right by if we’re not paying attention.
These things might seem meaningless, but when we get to heaven, I think we will be surprised by what mattered the most. What actually changed the world. What fulfilled God’s purposes. I imagine the small places where we showed up and served in obedience will prompt Jesus to say, Well done. Remember when you took the time to share encouraging words with someone who needed it? That’s the day you helped change the world.
That’s what I see in Matthew 13:31-32:
“… The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
I keep reminding myself about this upside-down nature of God.
God has a pattern of taking what makes us feel less-than and using it for great things. And then the opposite is true as well: Those things that make us feel like we’re better than others actually produce nothing significant at all. It seems that with Him, small is big, and big is small. The cheers of the crowds don’t mean much. The simple conversation where we helped someone means everything.
Hundreds or thousands of followers on social media isn’t the big influence we think it is. Being kind and gracious to the grocery store employee does more than we know. A donation given with a pure and generous heart is a massive gift for the Kingdom. A million dollars given with a hidden agenda and a desire for recognition is tiny.
God has the most beautiful, powerful ability to take the little we offer Him in obedience and magnify it for His glory in a big way.
I also know when we feel unseen, unheard, and unnoticed, it can be incredibly hard to muster up encouragement for others. But no matter what we may be facing, we have an opportunity not to overlook the small, mustard-seed opportunities where we can invest in others — in heaven — today.
Here’s what I want you to try with me:
- If you feel unseen, help one person feel seen by reminding her how uniquely beautiful and gifted she is today.
- If you feel unheard, help one person feel heard by holding space to listen when she’s speaking to you, and prayerfully ask God how you can encourage her.
- If you feel unnoticed, help one person feel noticed by honoring the amazing little things she does every single day.
Why? Because as we purposefully ease the ache in others, we will see it is beautifully eased in us. The unseen ache. The unheard ache. The unnoticed ache. We want to live in a better world, right? Let’s make a decision today to contribute to making it better. Let’s bring heaven to earth with the loving words we say and the moments we cultivate.
It doesn’t have to be big to be significant. We can show up, listen, and lean in. We can pray. We don’t have to push or prove or earn anything. We can plan something joyful. We can plan moments that matter. We can plan to do something for another person that will simply be kind and honor God.
So let’s start with the people right in front of us today. And watch how God turns something small into something big and beautiful in His timing.
God, thank You for how You love me. I see Your faithfulness every single day. I pray You would show me small ways I can invest big-time into eternity by helping others You put in my path. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
This is the moment, friend. As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on all God has done — and looking ahead to all He still wants to do — through this ministry. But before the clock strikes midnight, there’s still time to help one more woman encounter His Word right when she needs it most. Your gift today helps send truth into the ordinary moments — the morning she opens her Bible again, the podcast she listens to on her drive, the devotion that feels like it was written just for her. Every dollar given before midnight will be doubled, up to $87,500, helping even more women know they’re not alone. Let’s finish this year faithful and full of expectancy for what God will do next. Give now!
ENGAGE
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FOR DEEPER STUDY
1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (NIV).
Take a moment and ask the Lord to put one person on your heart so you can reach out to them. Also spend a few moments praying for this friend, asking for God’s wisdom and direction to guide their life.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s devotion in the comments!
© 2025 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
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