This past weekend, my mother-in-law gave me a couple African Violet slips to plant. (For the record – I am so much not a plant person, I just had to look up what they were called…) Now, it’s not that I don’t like to be surrounded by plants and beautiful flowers.  I do – they make me very happy!  Unfortunately, neither of my thumbs are very green. Hence, two slips for a better chance of having some blooming violets later this summer…

What struck me the most about these little velvety leaves, was that each one had miniature leaves growing at the base where the roots had sprouted.  They were so tiny and absolutely perfect little babies of the mama leaves.  When we planted the slips, those tiny leaves were buried underneath the potting soil.  I was a bit concerned, but Linda said not to worry, they’ll continue to grow and come right up through…

A few days later, I wanted to check if those little leaves had emerged through the soil.  So, I sat down and took a close look at my new ‘plants.’ I strained my eyes for any hint of green at the base of my single leaf.  I know those little babies are under there, and I am just waiting for them to emerge! As I sat there, I was reminded of two – seemingly unrelated – passages from the bible.  (While I am studying, there is SO MUCH I still don’t know – so I was thankful for two!)

Faith as small as a mustard seed

Jesus told his disciples

“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.”                                                                                                                                                Matthew 17:20

When I have studied out that verse in the past, I have found comfort. I have always looked at it as telling me God is always with me, and I can count on Him for help.  It served as a reminder that anything and everything is possible with God.

What I thought about yesterday was how, from even the smallest seed (or tiniest leaf), a large plant will grow.  That meant to me, I didn’t have to know everything about everything, I just needed to have strong faith in God and keep learning and growing in it.

Recently, Brad was asked to study the bible with a couple of men in our church.  Although we only got baptized in October, Brad still went every Sunday before church to study.  Is he the ‘expert’? He would be the first to say, ‘nope!’ But, does he believe the bible and that Jesus is Lord? Absolutely.

The Great Commission

The second thing that came to my mind was The Great Commission. You’re probably thinking I am totally confused and need to do A LOT more studying in my bible… But, hear me out –

When I looked at that lone leaf in my tiny pot, I thought of it’s potential.  Once it grows and shares itself with more and more baby leaves, those leaves can then become slips.  Once planted, those slips can create another plant, and so on, and so on…

The last thing Jesus said to the disciples was this –

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”              Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus wanted everyone to go and share their faith with everyone and make more disciples.  Think of how many people just one disciple reached.  Can you even fathom the impact of just one person? It is exponential.

Remember how Brad was studying with men from the church? Well, they got together every week for a number of months. And, although Brad had studied out the verses and passages before, I know he learned even more and grew stronger in his faith.  But the best thing that happened was – one of the men he was studying with decided to get baptized.  And, what a great day that was!

So, if you back up that chain, Tom was baptized by Brad who was baptized by Jeff who was baptized by  Craig who was baptized by Joel who was baptized by….and so on, and so on. It’s all part of what Jesus commissioned us to do.

Now what?

As I read through these passages again, not once do I see Jesus telling his disciples to go back and study out ALL of the past teachings and then pass a test to show their readiness to share with others.  He didn’t tell them they needed to have as much faith as he did.  He didn’t tell them they needed to be a Christian for 10 years.  No.  He just said they needed faith as small as a mustard seed and for them to go and make disciples.

So, that’s pretty convicting for me.  I have a tendency to overanalyze and overthink pretty much everything.  It has been a continual struggle for me.  I research and study out the most unimportant things. (Just ask Brad how long it took me to pick out my favorite journal…) In the end, all I really need to do is just continue growing my faith in God and sharing it with others.  Sounds pretty easy, right?!?

Your thoughts?

What do you think?  What are some ways you continue to grow your faith?  How do you share your faith with others?  I would love to hear any verses that come to your mind or other ideas you have!  I can’t wait to hear from you!