Enough Faith

Did you ever feel like you were low on faith?

As I write these words I’m waiting for my car’s oil to be changed. Oil is critical to a car’s life.

I know of a driver who drove a new car until the oil light finally came on--never checked it or added any! Didn’t even think about it. As a result, the engine was ruined.

That’s why I taught my children to check their car’s oil every time they stopped for gas. If it needed some, they could add it before it was too late.

Unfortunately some people ignore their faith like the driver that never checked the oil.

“Now hold on just a minute! How is ignoring one’s faith like failing to check a car’s oil?”

Good question. Here’s how: Some folks completely forget about their need for faith. They say, “I’ll know if I need it” but never think about it.

Faith is like the oil. If you forget about it, your life will end in ruin. So don’t wait to check it.

The good news is that you don’t need a lot of faith. Jesus said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed…nothing will be impossible for you.”

Now you may think you have at least that much faith—enough for small things. But many often feel inadequate to trust God to use them to do something big. Just like Jesus’ disciples did.

But here’s a wonderful truth: The key isn’t how much faith you have (Jesus said you only need a little). The key is in whom you place your faith and trust.

Some people have faith in faith. They think if you have a lot of it, you’re fine. They might say, “What matters is to sincerely believe.”

Others have faith in themselves. They believe they can overcome any obstacle in their way. And they get along fine until something happens beyond their control.

Still others take Jesus’ words as kind of Christian magic. They believe all we have to do is trust God and he will give us whatever we want. But that’s not what Jesus is saying.

The important thing to remember is Jesus was speaking to people who were already following him and seeking to serve him. When we do that we will face obstacles, but they are not insurmountable if we trust in the God of the Bible.

The journey of faith begins when we personally trust God to do what he says he will do. The Bible says, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” That means the place to begin is the Bible.

Then the Bible adds, “But to as many as received him, he gave the right to become sons of God, to everyone who believes on his (Jesus’) name.” So the next step is to trust Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we do that we become children of God.

After that the Bible says we are to obey his commandments. Part of obeying Christ is telling others how they, too, can have peace with God through Jesus Christ.

Jesus warned us that would be a difficult task. But he also promised to help us. He said that nothing he asks us to do would be impossible if we trust him. So as we share the message of Christ with others, we find that God protects and provides for us.

How much do you trust God? The next time you feel your faith is inadequate, stop and check it. Just like you check the oil in your car. And the thing to check is not how much faith you have but in whom you are trusting.

Why? Because a little is enough when your faith is in Jesus Christ.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!