Lent Devotional: Thursday, March 14

Published March 14, 2019 by SMBC

Mustard-Seed Faith
Luke 13:18-19: "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches."
I had hoped my Christian life would be marked by mountains of faith, but I confess that I've had some "mustard-seed faith" kind of days, days when just a speck of faith was all I could muster. Pain, loss, and grief have bowed my head low and unanswered prayers have left my heart raw; but in those hard times, God gave me a kernel of hope. He gave me a promise that even the tiniest seed of faith?faith in the mightiest and most loving Creator?would eventually grow into a strong, vibrant plant. And, so, I learned lessons I could not have come by any other way: I learned not to hold too tightly to the things of this world. I learned to align my perspective more closely with God's and to find new purposes for my experiences. I learned just how unshakeable a foundation Christ's love had provided for my life.
Like planting a garden, our seeds of faith must be pushed down into the dirt before they can grow. The dirt can feel like a kind of wilderness, where it is dark and lonely. But mustard-seed faith reminds us there is work happening that we cannot always see?the sun will shine and then the rain will fall, and soon, our little bit of faith will grow into a sturdy plant that will offer us new perspectives and greater purpose.

God, thank you for mustard-seed faith. Help us trust You more as we grow.