Perspective Shift

“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you." (Luke 17:3b-6)

After Jesus explained to the disciples that they must forgive those who repent - even multiple times a day (!) - the disciples asked for more faith. Like them, we often think we can only live the way Jesus calls us to live if we have more - more faith, more understanding, more something. Bigger must be better, right? But Jesus explained that what we already have - even just a little faith - is enough to do great things. Jesus did not expect the disciples to go around moving mulberry trees (or literal mountains), but he expected them to understand that with a little faith they might view challenging situations from a different perspective. The very thing we want to get over or get through may be that which draws us closer to the Father.

The rocky parts of life "move" from being seen as obstacles to becoming stepping stones not because of anything we are or anything we have done, but because of all that God is and can do. It’s not our faith, but where we place it, that’s most important.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. 4 Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act. (Psalm 37:3-5)