Kyle MacDonald traded a red paper clip for a house. It took many months and many trades. The paper clip for a pen. The pen for a doorknob. The doorknob for a camping stove. Over time the trades grew. And one day Kyle’s red paper clip turned into a home in Kipling, Saskatchewan.
Kyle received something large. He offered something little.
This true story is a parable for spiritual formation.
Jesus taught that the kingdom of heaven might start tiny–like a mustard seed. It would grow, however, into something tremendous–a tree in which birds nest (Mt. 13:31-32). Jesus said people could receive something massive–like the removal of a mountain–if they offered something minuscule–like faith as as small as a mustard seed (Mt. 17:20).
The life Jesus has come to grant is greater than we’ve ever imagined. It’s so much more than just waiting around to die and go to heaven. It’s a life of immeasurable meaning and significance. Spiritual formation is about receiving this life that is larger than we could ever hope.
And it begins with steps that are smaller than we could ever imagine. Receiving this life starts with offerings on our part that are sizable and doable.
In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus envisions this massive life as a house (Mt. 7:24). In the rest of his Sermon on the Mount Jesus describes this house. It’s a house/life that makes MacDonald’s look like a dollhouse.
But taking ownership and moving into that house doesn’t necessarily begin with superhuman feats of spiritual strength and skill. It begins with tiny and intentional habits and practices. Over time the tiny results in something tremendous.
In my forthcoming Ten Minute Transformation (Chalice Press) I explore this parable and the little things that can lead us into the large life of Jesus. I hope you’ll consider reading it when it launches this September.
In the meantime, what’s your paperclip? What’s a small step, practice, or habit you could engage in today that would result in something significant in days to come?
