Then Jesus asked, “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 of the air perched in its branches.” Luke 13:18-19
“Your faith is shallow and superficial.” Those were the words that a family member sent flying in my direction. The words cut to the core and I was ashamed. I knew that there was a kernel of truth there. Those words weren’t meant to encourage me to grow in faith. The statement was an indictment. I had been measured and found wanting.
Those words burned within for a month. After all, I live in my own skin. I know the thoughts that rumble around in my head. I know my motives are often impure. Like Peter, there are times when I choose to deny Christ. I felt that I had let Jesus down. Then healing came. God took hold of my heart one morning and reminded me of the mustard seed. What he spoke was basically this, “Kathy, your faith in me is beautiful no matter how weak or how strong it is. I died to make your faith complete. I love you.”
So simple, but this is a lesson God never tires of teaching me over and over again. He has won the battle for my heart. His love, his grace are more powerful than my incomplete efforts. I can rest in that.
Peter, who knew what it meant to deny Christ, offers these words of encouragement, “To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:1-2
Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 2:8
Kathy
Sixty-six books in a year 