Immediately after we encounter the Lord, we are usually filled with joy and enthusiasm. But then reality pays us a visit - we find ourselves ridiculed and persecuted for the way we have chosen and the life that we lead. Hebrews encourages us not to lose heart or give up - Jesus faced the same opposition. We may have failed to walk the path perfectly, but there is one thing we must not do: shrink back in fear and run from the challenges. The Lord will give us the strength we need.

The Spirit is like a seed within our souls - hardly noticeable at first but growing all the time. Like the mustard seed in the story, it will blossom into a great tree, but we must be patient. The seed of God's word grows within us, so we must nourish it each day. In a similar way, the good that we do seems to have no effect at all. But no kind deed or work is ever wasted - like the seed, it puts its roots down and grows, gradually transforming our world. In all this the most important virtue is patience. God's kingdom cannot be rushed - all in good time.