If you have never seen a mustard seed, it is probably one of the smallest seeds you can find. They are usually 1-2 millimeters in diameter. That is pretty small! It is hard to imagine those tiny seeds growing into large plants. However, from that seed grows lush mustard plants of various types.
Often when leaders are considering a situation or an action they might take, it can feel overwhelming. How do you change circumstances, or resolve an issue when it is so complex? In fact, we often feel like it might not even be worth trying because the issue or situation just does not have an easy answer.
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Nelson Mandela exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. As you walk through the exhibit, you see the huge issues of racism and apartheid facing South Africa. These conflicts may have seemed hopeless to resolve. However, even when Nelson Mandela was in jail, he was still advocating for better treatment and conditions for the prisoners. While many would have given up, he persevered and ultimately won new concessions.
Hopefully, we do not have to face anything as dire as those circumstances, but every leader will face difficult situations. Leaders and organizations will face challenges and have to determine how they will respond. Strong leaders know that the greater the opportunity and goal, the greater the challenges will be. Therefore, it is up to us to identify and take what steps we can, speak out on crucial issues, and remember that even a mustard seed of effort can have dramatic impact.
Change will not happen all at once, but small efforts can gradually gather enough momentum to bring about change. Some years ago, I was President of a business association. When I was asked to serve on the board, membership was declining and there were not enough financial resources for everything we needed to do. However, I believed that the work they were doing was critical in supporting area businesses. So, I began steadily to talk with people, one person at a time. In two years’ time, we had tripled our membership, more than doubled our programming, and significantly increased our funds.
Let’s create mustard seeds of change that will grow and enrich the lives of those we serve!
