To preach the kingdom, as Jesus did, always carries with it an element of risk. Indeed, in Jesus’ own time it sounded to some – both friends and enemies – like a call to action, even a call to arms. Just like the prophets before Him, Jesus urges His followers to trust not in their own efforts or plans, but in the mystery of God’s powerful, ever-creative love for them. The power still has to prepare the land, and sow the seed; but the real work of new life happens in God’s secret ways, while the sower sleeps, and gets on with the rest of life.
There are all sorts of routine things that human beings need to fill their days with: getting and preparing food, keeping a place to live in good order, earning enough money, looking after children or others who need care. For Christians there is also the daily, routine call to pray – we are called to His even though we may not always see the point or feel we get much out of it. It may be worth wondering whether we could spend less time and energy on our own efforts, and more on discerning and rejoicing in God’s own work for our life. This work of the Spirit is going on all the time and all around us. Sometimes we have to be still for longer, in order to see it as Jesus did. And when we learn better to see it, we will know how to respond; and our actions can then mirror our daily prayer, that God’s kingdom come.