Jesus does not think that “more faith” is what the disciples need. Instead, he tells the disciples that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed (which is among the smallest of seeds), that would be enough (Luke 17:6). It is the presence – not the quantity – of faith that matters.
Faith is not a power we have, or a work we achieve, but our posture toward God, our receptivity of God’s love and power and strength, and our trust in God’s promise. One thing that I have learned about Olympic weightlifting is that it is not simply a matter of how strong you are. Technique also matters (a lot!) and includes more than “lifting” the bar. One also needs to learn to “receive” the bar. The success of a lift requires that you be in the right position to receive the bar. What if we thought of faith, not as something we “have” and need to increase, but as the way we receive God’s promise and power in our lives – by letting God be God for us, in us and through us?
This message is excerpted from “Weightlifting and the mustard seed” by Cheryl M. Peterson in the January/February 2021 Gather magazine. Today is the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. Today is Father’s Day.
Copyright © 2024 Women of the ELCA. Inquiries for permission to reproduce should be directed to [email protected].