Faith: Belief That and Trust In

As we approach the culmination of the Advent season, we're invited to reflect on the true meaning of faith. It's not just about believing something is true, but about trusting in that belief so deeply that it changes the way we live our lives.

Consider the story of Jacob Smith, a 17-year-old blind skier from Montana. Jacob doesn't let his lack of sight stop him from conquering big mountain ski competitions. How does he do it? With unwavering trust in his family. His little brother guides him to the top of the mountain, and his father uses a two-way radio to direct Jacob's every move as he skis down. When asked about his faith in his father, Jacob's answer was profound in its simplicity: "Well enough to turn right when he tells me to turn right."

This beautiful picture of faith mirrors the kind of trust we're called to have in God. It's a faith that doesn't just acknowledge God's existence but moves us to action based on His guidance.

The Christmas story provides us with another powerful example of faith in action through the character of Joseph. When faced with the unexpected news of Mary's pregnancy, Joseph's initial reaction was to divorce her quietly. But God intervened, appearing to Joseph in a dream and revealing His divine plan. Joseph's response? He woke up and did exactly as the angel commanded, taking Mary as his wife despite the societal implications.
Joseph's faith wasn't just a mental assent to God's message; it was a trust that led to immediate obedience. He didn't allow his expectations or fears to stop him from following God's plan for his life. This is the essence of true faith – belief that and trust in.

But what about those of us who feel our faith is small? Jesus addresses this concern directly in Matthew 17. When the disciples couldn't drive out a demon, Jesus told them it was because of their little faith. But then He added a crucial insight: "Truly, I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

This teaching brings immense comfort. Our faith doesn't need to start big; it just needs to start. Like a tiny mustard seed, even the smallest faith has the potential to grow into something massive and world-changing. The key is nurturing that seed and allowing it to grow.

So how does our faith grow? By tending to the soil of our lives. The things we see, hear, and do shape us more than we often realize. If we fill our lives with negativity, constant distraction, or worldly influences, our faith may struggle to thrive. But if we intentionally cultivate good soil – through prayer, Scripture reading, and acts of obedience – our faith has the environment it needs to flourish.

Small steps of obedience lead to big changes over time. We might overestimate what we can accomplish in a month but underestimate what consistent, faithful actions can do over a year. Imagine how your faith might grow if you committed to reading the Bible for 20 minutes each day or praying for 5 minutes at a set time. These small acts of trust and obedience create a positive cycle: as we step out in faith, we see God's faithfulness, which increases our faith, leading to more steps of obedience.

It's crucial to remember that while God sovereignly plants the seed of faith in our hearts, we have a responsibility to tend to its growth. This partnership between divine grace and human effort is at the heart of spiritual growth.

The flip side is also true – small steps of disobedience can lead to a weakening of faith. When we consistently choose to trust in ourselves rather than God, we erode the foundation of our relationship with Him. This path may seem appealing in the short term, but it never ends well.

As we reflect on our own faith journey, it's natural to identify areas where we struggle to trust God fully. The apostle Paul, in retelling the story of Abraham to the early Christians in Rome, highlights an important truth: "Yet he did not waver through unbelief." Abraham had incredible faith, but he also had moments of doubt. The key was that he didn't allow his unbelief to shake his overall trust in God's promises.

This insight is profoundly encouraging. We all have areas where our faith is strong and areas where it's weak. The challenge is not to let those weak spots cause us to waver in our overall commitment to God. Instead, we're called to bring those areas of unbelief to God, asking Him to strengthen our faith where it's lacking.

Where in your life do you need to trust God more? Perhaps it's believing that He truly knows what's best for your family, even in the face of health challenges or difficult circumstances. Maybe you need to trust that God will never leave you, even when the path He's called you to walk seems impossibly hard. Or perhaps you struggle to believe that God can use even the most painful circumstances in your life for good.

For many of us, a significant area of needed growth is trusting in the sufficiency of God's grace. Do we truly believe that His grace covers all our sins, no matter how grievous? Do we trust that we belong in His kingdom, not because of our own merit, but because of His calling?

As we enter this season of reflection and preparation, take time to identify those areas in your life where faith feels small. Bring them before God in honest prayer. Remember, even faith as small as a mustard seed has incredible potential for growth.

Let's commit to nurturing our faith through small, consistent acts of trust and obedience. As we do, we'll find that our belief in God grows stronger, and our trust in His goodness deepens. Like Joseph, may we be ready to follow God's leading, even when it defies our expectations. And like Jacob the skier, may we trust our Heavenly Father enough to turn when He says turn, knowing that He sees the path ahead with perfect clarity.

In this journey of faith, every small step matters. Trust that God is working, even when you can't see it. Believe that His promises are true, even when circumstances seem to contradict them. And watch as your mustard seed of faith grows into a tree of unshakeable trust in the God who loves you beyond measure.