mustard seed

We all want to grow in our faith.  And that’s admirable.  And we know there are areas where we struggle to believe. Like the father who asked Jesus to have compassion on his demon possessed child, we cry “I believe; help my unbelief.”

I think it’s important to realize the areas of our lives we aren’t really trusting in God.  Yet, some of us are stuck because we think for God to use us, we need a greater faith.  “After all, doesn’t a greater faith lead to more effective praying?”, we reason.  Doesn’t greater faith lead to a more daring, exciting, vital, empowered life?  Doesn’t greater faith mean we can do greater things for God?

I’m not so sure!  The disciples wanted a great faith.  Luke writes about it this way, “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’”  If there was anyone who needed greater faith, it seems it would be them.  They were on the adventure of all eternity.  The Son would soon leave them wondering, waiting and worrying about their future and the future of the world.  Look what Jesus said, “And the Lord said, ‘If you had faith like the grain of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.’” (Luke 17:6)

I think it’s impressive to see that Jesus didn’t lay out a 3 point strategy to build their faith.  He didn’t even give them the hope of great faith.  Nor does He do that with us.  Instead, He doesn’t want us to put faith in our faith.  In order to change the world, we only need a small faith [i.e. the size of a mustard seed] and a BIG GOD!  Only God can change our world and in simple faith, we trust that truth.  So let’s enlarge our understanding of who God is.  Let’s read Scripture, enter worship, spend life with other believers to get a clearer picture of the One big God, through Jesus Christ.  Then trust with the little trust you have.

Don’t wait.  No one feels great faith within themselves.  The giants of the faith didn’t have great faith.  They had a small, simple, unfettered faith in a big, big God.

  • Today, pray with the little faith you have.
  • Today, follow with the little faith you have.
  • Today, worship and praise God with the little faith you have.

If there are areas you’re not trusting God to move in a good and powerful way, confess that to Him.  And ask the Father to enlarge your understanding of Him, His love, His goodness and His power to move trees into the sea.

What are you trusting God for today?

I’m trusting God to guide, protect and nurture my granddaughter Clara and her Mom and Dad.