Parables

     Growing up in church there is an entire culture that is unknown to the outside world.   They have to be taught the "church way" when they decide to join in.  If not, then they are at risk of never being accepted.  I saw this very clearly as a teenager that caused a level of distrust in the church.  I just didn't tie it into how Christians also have to learn Jesus' way.  His way changes everything and He teaches it through parables.
     I remember really struggling to see all in a parable that other Christians saw.  I found it very discouraging, but then I learned that Jesus taught in parables to speak to everyone.  A parable speaks to people differently according to where they are in life.  Jesus tells a story, but the Holy Spirit speaks into the soul.  They may inspire, encourage, or convict.  
     Some of the well known ones are the sower, lamp stand, growing seed, and mustard seed.  They all speak to people differently, but it all comes down to how we need Jesus to live a life faith that will grow.  It grows unpredictably and becomes something strong and beautiful.  It becomes something that can withstand the scary, unpredictable storms of life.  We just have to believe that Jesus truly is there in the storm with us. 

Mark 4