Have you ever thought much about the parable of the mustard seed that Jesus spoke of? Let’s read it in the book of Mark.
Mark 4:31-32 KJV 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
Let’s consider what happens to a seed. A seed remains dormant until the right conditions activate it. A mustard seed can actually stay dormant for months or even years if conditions are not right. In dormancy the seed doesn’t grow, use energy, or sprout. The seed must be buried in order to ever grow and produce. Not only does this create pressure, but it also places it in darkness. It has to come in contact with water to activate the seed. It will then lose its previous form and then bring forth new life.
Have you ever heard someone say that they are struggling with faith? Be it struggling to believe for a certain thing or your core beliefs about God. There will come a point of struggle. This usually comes after a period of darkness. Something happens in our lives. We come into some type of trial that tests us and we begin to question. Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you (1 Peter 4:12 NET). This is just the process of the seed of faith growing. This is the darkness and the pressure that helps the seed begin to grow. We also need to water the seed. This water can be found in the Word of God as we see in Ephesians 5:26 (KJV) the washing of water by the word. We must water our faith with the Word of God. Not just reading, but hearing. Because faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17 KJV). This means that not only do we need to read the Word, but hear the preached Word of God.
Too many times though folks get frustrated with process and instead of drawing near to God and reading His Word. Instead of faithfully attending church and hearing the Word preached. They drift away, thus uprooting the seed of faith that God is trying to grow in their lives.
Let us instead continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23 KJV). And be patient with the process letting patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:4 KJV). Then our faith may grow to not just help us, but others as well.
James 1:2-4 ISV 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
1 Peter 1:6-7 NET 6 This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. 7 Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold, gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away, and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (Ecclesiastes 4:12 KJV).