It all started with this
statement: "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have
faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here
to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20
NIV)
The point we need to ponder today is this: Do we
really believe that "nothing will be impossible for" us?
And if the answer is "no", then we must ask ourselves
another question: Do we really believe?
I was in Northern Arizona the day I found myself
surrounded by thousands
of geodes. These spherical stones, lighter than ordinary rock, contain a cavity
filled with exceptional crystal formations, generally of quartz composition.
Though some geodes have hollow core, most are solid all the way through. I, for
one, found the ones with hollow cores the most interesting.
For the meagre price of 5$, I had the opportunity of
choosing one of the geodes that surrounded me, and it would be cut in half with
a diamond saw so that the crystalline formation at the centre would be visible.
The problem was, how would I know which one was hollow?
I had a decision to make: Either I could rely on my
own understanding, or I could depend on the One who created all things. But this
second choice required faith! Though I was tempted to make choice number one, I
decided on the second one, for God has promised that "nothing is impossible"
with Him.
I carefully allowed God to help me choose the geode,
and with anxious eyes, I watched as it was cut in half. The centre? A hollow
core, outlined in beautiful purple quartz. Absolutely stunning! God came
through, yet another time!
Would I have been able to live without the geode?
Absolutely! But if we allow God to be our guide in everything, even in the small
stuff, our hearts will be geared to trust Him in the bigger things of life as
well.
We often face geodes in life: Situations where we
can't be sure of the outcome. At times we become confused
and discouraged about which choices to make. We can't see beyond the hard shell
of the geode we are facing, but we know that whether it turns out to be a thing
of utter beauty or a nightmare from hell hinges on our decision. It hinges upon
who we decide to trust.
"I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not
doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say
to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you
believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:21-22
NIV)
It always comes to this: "If you believe!"
We can only experience this mustard-kind of faith if
we empty ourselves of us. Only if
we renounce our need to constantly be in control, and if we let God have His
way. After all, doesn't He know what is best for us?
"if you believe!"
It's all about our journey in faith and who we decide
to trust.
Sadly many of us put our faith in destructive
illusions which will never really satisfy us, and faith in delusions will always
leave us wanting. Faith in our prayers instead of in our Maker will lead us to
disappointment. Only faith in Jesus our Saviour will fill us with adrenaline and
anticipation. Disappointment has no place here! Jesus is really in control!
Unless we doubt ...
"If you believe!"
Do we believe? Or are we experiencing what the
disciples experienced?
"He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do
you still have no faith?'" (Mark 4:40 NIV)
"Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught
him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'" (Matthew 14:31 NIV)
"You of little faith, why are you talking among
yourselves about having no bread?" (Matthew 16:8 NIV)
If we persist and do not let ourselves become
discouraged, one day Jesus will say of us as He did of the disciples, just
minutes before His arrest: "You believe at last!" (John 16:31 NIV)
Jesus is truly our ally in our trek through faith. He
is the One who sustains us. He is the One encouraging us to go on.
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you
have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31-32 NIV)
He is the One who will always be there for us, ready
to come to our rescue.
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of
the age." (Matthew 28:20 NIV)
He is the One who will teach us how to use that
mustard-kind of faith where anything that stands in the way becomes displaced by
its growth. He is the One we can fully trust!
"With man this is impossible, but with God all things
are possible." (Matthew 19:26 NIV)
When are we going to take our God at His Word? He is
the One who will revive us! Fear will become more and more foreign to us as we
grow more and more in Him.
"He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he
hears their cry and saves them." (Psalms 145:19 NIV)
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not
give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid." (John 14:27 NIV)
What will be our answer to His question: "Do you
believe that I am able to do this?" (Matthew 9:28 NIV)
Those geodes sure can be beautiful inside!
Would you like one like that?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.