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In Matthew 17, the disciples had tried and failed to cast out a demon from a young boy. When they ask Jesus why they were unsuccessful, he tells them it was because of their "little faith." He goes on to say if they had faith like a mustard seed - they could tell mountains to move.
Do you know what mustard weed was like in Jesus' day? It was like the kudzu of Palestine. It grew wild. Birds ate it but didn't entirely digest the seeds - and the seeds were dropped everywhere. It would take over fields and crops. You could pull it up, but more birds would eat more mustard weed and it would be back. It was persistent, irritating, and fast-spreading. Jesus said that was the kind of faith the disciples needed: small and contagious; faith that is persistent and fast-spreading that takes over the world!
Living in the South, I know and understand kudzu. I've seen it take over trees and engulf buildings. Can you imagine how different the world would be if the love of God spread like that? Taking over and engulfing lives?
That is what the church is called to spark - a wildfire of faith! Uncontainable. Vast. Bigger than my puny human understanding can conceive. I have to stop putting my great God in my tiny human box and have faith in his power to transform lives.
Prayer: Father God, keep me mindful of your awesome power and unfathomable love.
- Chris Howell,
Lynchburg, VA
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