Where Is Your Faith?
by Richard Griffiths
The disciples had been caught in a violent storm on the lake and their boat was almost sinking. Jesus was asleep in the boat.
Faith’s a funny thing. One day the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, and He told them that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they could tell a tree to be uprooted and thrown into the sea and it would happen. ‘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 17:6). And yet, at the same time, He could rebuke Peter for his little faith. ‘Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”’ (Matthew 14:31).
I’ve found that what lies behind today’s question explains everything. Where do I keep my faith? What is it, so to speak, rooted into? Where is it?
At the heart of faith is a connection, a relationship. Faith is not grounded in past experiences (although they do remind us about who God is, and what He can do); nor is it grounded just in Bible verses (although the truths and promises of Scripture are vital). At the heart of faith is a spirit-to-Spirit connection with God. Past experiences and Bible verses may nourish faith, but it will only be strong if it is rooted in Him.
It’s that connection that makes faith ‘big’. If a plant is well-rooted in good soil, it will grow strong and flourish. Take it out of the ground, and it will soon wither and die. Well-rooted, it will do even better if it’s watered and fertilised. Water and fertiliser on their own won’t be enough. Bible verses and past experiences can act as a kind of spiritual fertiliser to make faith even stronger. But if it’s not rooted in Jesus, then it will, at best, struggle.
Do you feel the need for stronger faith? Of course, it’s so important to listen to what God is saying to you as you read His Word. And, of course, it’s great to remember the good things He has done in the past. But the most important thing of all is an intimate, spirit-to-Spirit relationship with Him. If that’s where your faith is, it’ll grow well.
Richard Griffiths When Richard retired from full-time Anglican ministry in Chichester in 2009, he and his wife, Sue, moved to Northumberland. He joined the ministry team at Ellel Grange in 2011, where he and Sue regularly ministered at healing retreats. They are now helping on the "Explore" team. They greatly enjoy walking in the beautiful Northumberland countryside and along the coast. Richard loves seeing God bringing people into a strong personal relationship with Him as their Father and the healing that comes with it.
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