July 30: Insight Post by Rusty Coram

  -   July 30, 2025

God’s Kingdom Expands Beyond Our Expectations: The parable shows that God’s kingdom starts small but grows beyond what we can imagine, welcoming all who come. This teaches us that God’s work often begins quietly, but its impact is vast and far-reaching.

Wednesday Verse

And though you started with little, you will end with much. Job 8:7 (NLT)

Wednesday Questions

How can I be a part of expanding God’s kingdom in small but meaningful ways? What can I do today to help others experience the love of God?

Wednesday Insight Post
by Rusty Coram

Recently, I’ve been reading The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson. In it, the author builds a strong case for establishing simple, healthy disciplines and maintaining them over the long haul. In the beginning, these habits seem unexciting and unimportant, but over time, they create a lasting impact. An example is saving money. Putting $10 a week in a mutual fund looks very unimpressive. But over time, this small investment can really pay off. At a modest 7% interest, the $10 a week will be worth over $20,000 in 20 years.

As a nation, we are conditioned to admire the big, grand, and impressive, but this can lead us to miss the important and lasting. Jesus wants us to be aware of this and be tuned into what is truly lasting and valuable. God’s kingdom isn’t characterized by the ornate and ostentatious, but by things that are simple and plain. God’s kingdom isn’t for the privileged few but is available to everyone.

Jesus uses a mustard seed to illustrate the unimpressive outward appearance of what will become a substantial and lasting plant. God’s kingdom may not outwardly appear impressive, but over time, the impact of trusting and obeying Him will radically transform lives surrendered to it. Jesus’ audience was under the rule of Rome, which was the superpower of the time. Who would have guessed that this small movement led by a blue-collar carpenter would survive and thrive while Rome and subsequent world powers faded?

We can easily do math to show that giving up one lunch or dinner out a week will yield big financial dividends. Even more so will a life built on following God in day-to-day choices. Trusting and obeying Him out of love and gratitude is the best life investment ever!

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…” Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)

Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor

New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org