Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Faith

This past Sunday, in our Sunday school class, Steven was teaching a lesson on faith. When he teaches a small group, he likes to ask questions to get you thinking. His first question was, what does it take to please God? After some discussion within our group, he shared Hebrews 11:6, which says, "without faith it is impossible to please God."
The next question was, how much faith to you need? To which I responded, as much as you can get! But as soon as it came out of my mouth, I remembered, a mustard seed. At the same time, Steven began sharing about Matthew 17:20, which tells us that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we can do great things.
For the next few moments, I began thinking about that verse, a verse that I've heard my whole life and to be honest, I didn't hear the rest of the lesson. But I'd like to share what the Holy Spirit taught me during in those moments. mustard seeds

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matt. 17:20
As I kept thinking about the verse, I was thinking what I've always thought, that our faith can be small and God can do great things through it. But then I began thinking, "what is the purpose of a seed?" Well, obviously, the purpose of a seed is to grow and bear fruit. So yes, our faith can start out small but God never intends it to stay that way. If God wanted our faith to remain small, couldn't He have said, "if you have faith as small as a pebble"? Sure he could, but a pebble won't change or grow but a mustard seed will grow and bloom and eventually produce more seeds that will continue to spread. I came to realize in those few moments that I've always looked at that verse with the wrong focus, it's not about having a small faith, it's about having faith that will grow and flourish and spread! mustard plant

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3

10 thoughts from Y*O*U:

Natalie said...

I've never thought about it from that perspective either. It really changes the verses lesson when you think of it that way. Wow!

Anonymous said...

wow, that is so amazing! thanks for sharing your "revelation knowledge" with all of us. love ya mom

Unknown said...

i love it--and i love you!
Happy Belated birthday, too...I've been a bit out of the loop lately, but i'm back to being loopy. ;-)

Fran said...

Amen sista!!! Amen!!! I love it and I'm taking that with me. I need to focus on my faith right now so this was a perfect place for me to end my day.

I love ya!
Fran

Jennifer said...

That was somthing I really needed to read today. I have never looked at that verse that way.

Jennifer said...

Wow, that is definitely a perspective of that verse I have never thought about. Amazing!

Love ya!

BethAnne said...

A few years ago I heard a pastor preach on the mustard seed. He said that the mustard seed is the only spice that when mixed even in small amounts changes the taste of any mixture. Guess that is another way of looking at our faith - not only should it grow and spread, but it should also influence the people around us.

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Oh Cheryl, that was WONDERFUL.

Amy said...

Great article. I came for a visit from Angela's blog. It's amazing how often God speaks to us in the middle of what we are doing. I have enjoyed reading your posts. I am a pastor's wife also. I pray that God continues to bless your ministry. Blessings.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

You are the first person who has ever pointed out the difference between the mustard seed being a living thing versus a speck of dust or pebble!