The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed,
you could say to this mulberry tree,
‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
Luke 17:5-6 CEB
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears
What words of wisdom can I give them
How can I help to ease their way?
As a high school senior, I remember singing these words as I attempted to play the role of Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof.” It is a beautiful song sung by Tevye and his wife, Golde, at the wedding of their oldest daughter, Tzeitel (pronounced szigh-tell). Tevye and Golde are reflecting on how quickly the seasons of life have passed for their daughter, and it’s a very moving song from a loving father and mother.
One season following another.
In my haste to get to a breakfast meeting last week, my front window was filled with the rising sun over these fields. The planted stop sign was a helpful reminder for me to stop Stop to make sure the blind curve to the left was not filled with an approaching vehicle. Stop to follow the rules of the road. Stop to absorb the beauty of a new day rising before me.
One day following another.
I have witnessed over the past couple of weeks, so many farmers engaged in harvesting their fields. Seeds that were planted in previous seasons have yielded an abundance for many, and we pray for our neighbors with peanut crops, who desperately need rain on their fields.
One seed became something more. One seed became something greater. One seed became something beautiful.
Not sure about you, but I am right there with the apostles when they ask Jesus for more faith. Increase my faith, Jesus. My tank is empty, Jesus. Fill me up, Jesus. Increase my faith, Jesus, so that I will have more broadband, more capacity, and more determination to fulfill this life I am living. My calendar is consuming, and my task-list is long, Jesus, and more faith will do me a whole lot of good right now. There are so many people facing ups and downs, plenty of phone calls with joys and sorrows, emails with questions seeking answers, and text messages with concerns and needs.
What words of wisdom can I give them
How can I help to ease their way?
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” I say, “Sign me up.” And then Jesus tells us, it only takes a seed, a kernel of faith. It’s not about more, it’s not about increase. It’s just enough faith that blossoms into abundant faith. It’s the faith in Jesus that bubbled up in that brief moment at a stop sign, and led me into another day, one season following another.
Blessings,
David