To What Can the Kingdom of God be Compared?

Text: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Tune: William Doane, TO GOD BE THE GLORY 11.11.11.11 with refrain ("To God be the Glory")

Scripture Reference: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

To what can the kingdom of God be compared?
A mustard seed falls where a field's been prepared,
And there, where predictable plantings should be,
There grows up a wild bush --as big as a tree!
God of love, here on earth, hidden things still surprise:
Loving deeds--signs of birth--faithful, Spirit-filled lives.
Your reign is amazing, your ways still astound,
Just like that new life springing forth from the ground.

A small bit of leaven will change the whole bread:
A poor woman sees that her neighbors are fed,
A church reaches out to the youth in the town,
A man shares his faith and God's blessings abound.
God of love, here on earth, hidden things still surprise:
Loving deeds . . . signs of birth . . . faithful, Spirit-filled lives.
Your reign is among us, creation is blessed,
When even a few faithful lives change the rest.

While some look for treasure or one priceless pearl,
God's reign is the gift wise ones seek in this world.
A girl sells possessions to help those in need;
A boy chooses faithfulness rather than greed.
God of love, here on earth, hidden things still surprise:
Loving deeds . . . signs of birth. . . faithful, Spirit-filled lives.
Your reign is a treasure that wise ones pursue;
May we seek your kingdom in all that we do.

Text: Copyright © 2011 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: bc[email protected]