the size of faith

most Christians like to think that they have a pretty good amount of faith in God. we really believe, right? you might not think you feel proud of yourself about your amount of faith, but consider this: if anyone questions your faith, you probably feel angry, even indignant, right? how DARE someone say you don't believe with all your heart!

but think about true faith in God. faith can move mountains! that's not just a saying. read Matthew 17:20. you may be thinking, come on, move a real mountain? yes. that's what i'm saying. Kilimanjaro. Mount St. Helens. Mount Everest. that sounds ridiculous. well, how about we shrink it down a little. how about a tree?

Jesus, who also talked about moving mountains with faith, said:

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, 

you can say to this mulberry tree, 

'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' 

and it will obey you." 

Luke 17:6

how many of you have told a tree to be planted in the sea, and then watched as it uprooted itself and ran off to obey? that is the power embodied in a piece of faith the size of a tiny mustard seed!

do you know how big a mustard seed is? wikipedia lists they diameter as 1 to 2 mm. i've cooked with them and find that they truly are tiny, and they are easily lost as they bounce out of sight through the cracks. here's a photo:

of course, moving land masses and greenery by talking to them is not the point of Jesus' words. the context of His statement is that He was instructing His disciples to forgive a believing brother who'd sinned against them and come back to ask for forgiveness, even 7 times in one day! tough. but Jesus goes on to make the point that having faith and forgiveness are our duty as believers. God won't stand up and cheer or congratulate us or thank us for doing what we should have been doing all along: forgiving others (remember, if you are not PERFECT, you have been forgiven to the same extent as anyone else) and having faith in God (we have no excuse for not believing in Him, as He has blessed everyone with everything from breath to the beautiful nature we see around us).

faith is trusting in the One who created the universe with just words. HE is the object of our faith. it doesn't matter how weak or how incapable you may be; Jesus will be your strength. it's not about you anyway. your life is supposed to be the vessel through which people see God.

and He doesn't just deserve it, He loves you too. He wants what's best for you. trust in Him!

and the next time a brother or sister in Christ comes to you and asks for forgiveness, step out in faith and forgive. it may be hard, but GOD will give you the ability to really mean it. i struggle SO many times when my husband asks me for forgiveness, even for little things. my emotions tell me to refuse him; i'm angry with what he's done! but God says i MUST forgive. it's my duty because Jesus offered forgiveness when i was still doing wrong things, while i was in the act of spitting in His face.

faith and forgiveness are tough. but God builds them up in us as we PRACTICE them. let's not just rest thinking we have faith; let's put them into practice!

for more on forgiveness, please read my post: in the midst of my mess