How Big is Your Faith?

Posted on Jul 12, 2018 Topic : Inspirational/Devotional
Posted by : Wendy Dunham

While deciding on a topic to write about, the idea of a mustard seed made its way to the writer’s part of my brain. And after making itself at home for several days, it was clear it had no intention of leaving. Given my years of writing, I’ve learned that when a topic reaches out to an author, that is the very thing that must be written. Knowing that, I purchased a container of mustard seeds and placed one seed in my hand. It always helps to have a visual.

While holding that mustard seed, I thought, what could be said of one little seed? Before long the words mustard seed led to the word mustard and brought images of baseball stadium hotdogs covered with waves of yellow mustard dripping from my fingers. But after reading about this tiny seed, I realized there was more. I discovered that one tiny seed, just one to two millimeters (0.039-0.079 inch) in size, holds the power to reap great dividends not only in our health, but in our spiritual journey as well.

I learned that the mustard plant, originating in the Middle East, has been used since earlier times in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, and detoxification of the body. And today mustard seeds are known to contain more than 80 nutrients. Some of the health benefits include the prevention of cancer, the treatment of psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and cardiovascular problems, and help in relieving respiratory ailments and stiff muscles and painful joints.

I was astonished.

Faith Like a Mustard Seed

I also learned that in Jesus’s day, the mustard seed was known as the smallest seed. In Matthew 17:20 (nlt), Jesus uses this seed in a parable. “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from her to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

As I thought about that verse, I imagined a situation where someone asks me if I have faith. And because I’ve been a Christian for more than 30 years, my first response would likely be a confident, “Yes, of course, I have faith. I’ve been a Christian for a long time.” But as I thought more, I was faced with the humbling reality that my faith is really quite small…maybe just one to two millimeters in size—the size of a mustard seed. But our Jesus is a truth speaker, and he says that is big enough.

What Are Your Mountains?

I thought about the mountains I am facing in my own life, the mountains in the lives of my friends and family, and in the lives of people I’ve never met. Mountains that seem insurmountable or too difficult to move. Mountains of uncertain health problems. Mountains of financial problems. Mountains of relationship problems. Mountains of regret. We do everything we can to move them and everything we can to climb over them. We use every ounce of energy we have. We pray big prayers. We ask for more faith. We may even be criticized by some for not having enough. But the bottom line is that these mountains are too big for us to move by our own strength.

Still holding that same tiny seed, I drop to my knees and make my way to Jesus. As I relinquish the seed, I watch it disappear in the dust and dirt that surround two worn, calloused feet, which have climbed more mountains that I can fathom.

There is nothing left for me to do. There’s no need for me to become breathless while trying to climb my mountains. There’s no need for me to lean against them, pushing and shoving with every ounce of strength I have. I simply need to rest.

Two strong hands reach down and pull me to my feet. Oh, what comfort is found in that tiny seed. What peace is gained when it’s dropped at the feet of Jesus. It is the comfort of two sacred arms wrapped around me while the Prince of Peace gently kisses the top of my head and whispers, “My child, I created every mountain. I strategically placed them across the continents. And I strategically placed them in your life.” After several moments, his nail-scarred hand wipes a stream of tears from my cheek. “And if I created them,” he adds, “surely I can move them.”

I rest in his arms. In his comfort. In his peace. And in his strength, which is strong enough to move mountains. Even mine.

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Teach your child simple faith lessons with these two new adventures from Wendy's series for young readers, Tales of Buttercup Grove.