It's a small thing. But a seed contains within it as much potential as anything you might imagine.
Within the context of the universe, each of our lives is small and of relatively little consequence. But we all contain within us great potential as well.
The seed of faith will germinate into great things wherever it is tended well. Take time now for the garden that is your life.
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you."
Luke 17:5-6
The disciples blew it. Like us, they wanted to follow Jesus. They wanted to do the right things and live the right way, but they totally misunderstood Jesus’ call to discipleship. Committed to the cause, they wanted Jesus to do the work of increasing their faith, making them faithful, righteous believers. Jesus had another idea in mind.
Have you ever seen a mustard seed? They’re tiny little seeds (1–2 mm in diameter) that produce a large mustard plant. The disciples knew this and understood that Jesus was commenting on their misunderstanding of discipleship. Even if the disciples had a tiny bit of faith, they’d be able to do amazing things.
Instead of expecting Jesus to increase our faith and lead us to be super-faithful disciples, we are called to embrace a mustard-seed faith. Instead of treating faith as a spectacular accomplishment, a mustard-seed faith challenges us to be Christ’s followers each day in ordinary ways. It’s who we are and how we live. With a humble, mustard-seed faith, we’re able to change the world!
Michael Harper
O God, thank you for your love and your call in my life. May I put my mustard-seed faith into action today as I look for ways to be your disciple. Amen.
From deep within your soul
Something beautiful is growing –
Wild and wonderful,
Fruitful and free.
Yield now to the gentle care
Of the One who watches over you,
Tending your soul with great love
And infinite confidence.