May 13 – Yeast

Matthew 13:33

He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

What if, no matter what, you spent a day or a week or a month, or even a year; spreading love. You chose to respond in love, to share everything you had with those who were in need, you encouraged others, you refused to gossip or slander others, but always looked for the good in them and encouraged others to do the same.

What if you were like yeast?

The truth is … we all are. Our behavior and actions permeate the community around us, whether it is online, our family, or workplace, our church; even our neighborhood.  Every single thing we do affects the world.  We don’t have to like it, but it is the truth.

A single angry word to a spouse in the morning can change their day, reflected in their actions toward others. On the other hand, words of love and support can change that same person’s day, giving them strength to stand up against the attacks of the world.

We are yeast. What we do and say and how we live changes the world in both big and small ways. Jesus told

In Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus talks about the people we encounter who need clothes, food or water; who need shelter or were sick and needed help. These strangers are in front of us every day and we choose how to deal with them. We can ignore them or step forward and do something for them. We must always be aware that they are there and in caring for them, we care for Jesus himself.

The point I want to make from that verse is that we never know who stands before us and is watching our behavior.

We are yeast. We change and transform the world we encounter.