Here at St. Matthew, we are in a season of intentionally striving to, with God's help, grow closer to and more like Jesus.  It is in that light that I too have been listening/reading through the Bible accounts of Jesus.

In that light, as I was reflecting on Luke 17-18 (ESV), I was captivated by the apostles' request in Luke 17:5, "Increase our faith."  That sounded like something I want and need to grow closer to and more like Jesus.

But then I studied Jesus' response, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you."  Jesus doesn't tell the disciples that they have no faith.  He doesn't tell them that they have less faith than even the tiny mustard see.  Rather, Jesus is encouraging them with the truth that they already have enough faith to do miraculous things, if it would be God's will for them to do so.  The power of God can work through even the smallest faith to enable us to do the impossible, like forgiving someone seven times in a day (Luke 17:4). The issue is not the size of faith, but the limitless power of God that can work through us.

So, God, please help me to use the amount of faith that you have graciously given me.  Please unleash Your limitless power to enable me to be and do the impossible things that You have placed before me today.  Amen.

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