During a crisis a long while ago, when I faced my own fragile faith, a friend gave me a tiny charm filled with mustard seeds that I could wear on a necklace or bracelet.
New to the Christian world, I didn’t have any sense about the relentless loyalty of a faithful God. I also read for the first time Jesus’ words about mustard seeds, directed to those like me of little faith, “For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
His words astounded me, those are powerful words about a tiny seed, and faith.
I often look at my tiny charm and think about this mighty seed that Jesus goes on to describe more in another parable, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.”
That tiny mustard seed is a storehouse of faith, a restless, welcoming faith that holds the assurance that God will not leave or forsake us. Within it’s minuteness, a tiny seed of faith holds within it the spirit of truth, the powerful knowing we can rest in thee. In the winters of lives, tiny seeds of faith blaze trails of hope through snow-drifts of worry and fretting, through dark, icy roads of bleakness and dread. Like Jesus says, even a tiny seed will bring new seasons of fruitfulness, spreading wide it’s branches into our future, becoming shade for others to rest with thee.
Yet, these seeds of faith need nourishment to thrive. During trials, transitions, and phases of arid faith, scripture nourishes the dry soil of our parched hope. Meditating on scripture grounds us in the realization that the spirit of truth, the living water, is available to us, right here right now – but we must drink from the cup. We must quench the thirsting tiny mustard seeds of faith lest they wither and harden, becoming like stone hard pebbles that can’t take root. When we sup on God’s words of truth, they sink like anchors into tumultuous seas of our fears and doubts, rooting deep into their depths an unwavering faith where we humbly wait for God’s grace.
Yet, how I am so like Peter who in the stormy seas, steps out of the boat and sinks into faithlessness. Don’t we all relate to the words Jesus tells his disciples, “You of little faith!”
I have a few scriptures that I remember that reach deep when my faith runs dry, yet Jeremiah 29:11 most resonates: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Dwelling in the word of truth blooms our faith, bursting free the power of the mustard seed spreading wild over arid landscapes, smothering thorn bushes of worry, unbelief, and hopelessness. In faith, angst can’t breath, worry can’t dwell, doubt can’t live.
In time, God’s grace or provisions arrive –sometimes, on the threshold of panic, where I hold in my hand that tiny mustard seed of faith.
Jesus says, “If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.” Faith opens the door to Christ who speaks “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.”
Just a mustard seed of faith shepherds us to this heart of God where we rest and have our being, where God is our help in every need. Faith is the knowing the truth of Jesus words, “I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”, where we’re assured rest in the shade of the mustard tree.
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I have been thinking a lot about that mustard seed faith lately and so this was great to read. Thanks for your post. 🙂 Blessings!
Thanks Stacy for coming by..so wonderful to hear the mustard seed of faith has been on your heart, and so glad this could be inspiring!
I’m so very thankful we have the mustard seed reference from Jesus! It brings me such comfort too to know that I don’t have to have giant-sized faith, but just enough faith to lay at the feet of Jesus. He’ll do the rest. Thanks for sharing!
Yes Lisa, that tiny bit of faith matters much in this big world! Blessings!
“In faith, angst can’t breath, worry can’t dwell.” Love this line. Letting go, and trusting that all is going to be okay is faith lived out. What a beautiful gift your friend gave you as a new believer. It has obviously been a way to remind you and grow in His faithfulness.
What a lesson in that little seed of faith that has sustained me through the times of arid faith! Always love your thoughts Lynn!
This is beautiful. and I love this “That tiny mustard seed is a storehouse of faith”
A ginormous storehouse!
I often think of the doubt that filled the hearts of the disciples and they walked side by side with the Lord. They hugged him, laughed with him etc.
Don’t let guilt steal the joy of your faith. Let those reminders of all of the times that God stepped in for you fuel your faith. Let this seed grow your faith.
Marie
spreading-joy.org
Thank you for your lovely comment Marie! Love that..a’ginormous storehouse’..it is so true..
I also meant to write about ‘doubting Thomas’ so thanks for reminding me about the disciple’s doubts..
thank you for the encouragement!
Just love “ginormous storehouse”! So love your comment and encouragement Marie!
Hi Kathy! I had a charm bracelet when I was a tween, and one of the charms was a clear heart with a mustard seed in it. It’s so small! What a thoughtful gift you were given.
I like the idea of watering my small faith with Scripture to help it grow. I have often thought of that very same passage as you put here. God has good things ahead! I also think of David’s Psalm; ‘Be with me Lord when I am in trouble, be with me Lord I pray.’ I always get a little peace from that.
Blessings!
Ceil
I love that you had a mustard seed charm–and really love the prayer from the Psalms that gives you peace!
May our mustard seeds of faith give us comfort! Bless you Ceil, I always enjoy your visits!
The mustard seed is such a powerful symbol reminding us that even when our faith seems small God can do amazing things. I love the idea of having a charm filled with mustard seeds as a reminder of that.
Thank you Carly for coming by!
Wow. Once again you fill me with SO much nourishment through your message, my friend. What precious encouragement I feel to know that my tiny mustard seed will surely reap a harvest of faith and truth. What our God can DO with our little human doubting fragile stubborn weakness… THIS is what makes Him Almighty- and His Power can do great things. What a beautiful truth to remember- especially during those mustard seed moments.
I wrote about my own mustard seed moment a while ago- I haven’t published it yet. It’s still on ‘hold’. 🙂 I want a charm like the one you have! I just LOVE that, Kathy. <3
I’m always inspired by your comments Chris, and blessed to hear these words on faith are a source of nourishment! I will be eager to read
your mustard seed story when you’re inspired! And yes, that little mustard seed charm is precious..and reminds me of how far I’ve come in
learning about faith (and how much more I need!)
Jesus says, “If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.” Thank you Kathy for this and the many other beautiful sacred passages related to the mustard seed of faith. I needed this boost of faith in a big way as I prepare to go on a pilgrimage with my youngest son to my Peace Corps village in Senegal, West Africa. I am feeling more anxiety than ever before an international trip because I continue to receive State Department warnings that Americans traveling to Senegal are under threat of ISIS attack. We will travel smart and not stay in high target places. The world is such a different place than when I was my son’s age. I want him to maintain a fearless adventurous spirit like I had at his age. I was at AT&T store yesterday and was being helped by a kind and patient young man to prepare for cell service overseas. I told him of my fears and sadness that world travel is not the same for his generation. And out of the mouth of babes he responded: “Just make your plans, commit to them and don’t worry about anything. That is the only way to truly live.” Talk about true faith and courage. I will printout your passages from The Power of a Mustard Seed of Faith and use them everyday when I pray. With deep gratitude dear friend. You seem to always know what I need.
I’m really moved by your comment Theresa, it’s a big journey you’re heading on in a different travel climate than from your earlier travels. Your concerns about safety are normal, and yet I’m so glad some of the words on faith are speaking to you, and that you’ll use some of this as inspiration in your prayer as you prepare for your journey. I’m keep you and Bryce in my prayers for a safe and blessed journey.
I recently spoke on the Luke passage about the kingdom of God being like a mustard seed that grows into a tree and the birds of the air come to rest in it – I love that image or growing faith and the way it makes safe harbors for others. Thanks for sharing!
Always enjoy sharing with you Kelly. Would have loved to hear your talk on Luke and the mustard seed. I just love this scripture..really stretches not only faith, but imagination!