“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” – Luke 17:6
One of the most famous children’s stories written by Dr. Seuss is Horton Hears a Who. The tale is about Horton, an elephant who discovers a small speck of dust that seems to be speaking to him. After catching the speck on a clover and conversing a bit more, Horton concludes that someone very small must be living upon it.
Despite being criticized by his friends and mocked by his enemies, Horton remains convinced that someone is living on the speck, even though he can’t see that person. Eventually Horton’s hopes are confirmed when he discovers that the tiny speck is home to a whole community of creatures called Whos. At the request of the Mayor of Whoville, Horton promises to protect their tiny world and find a safe new home for the speck, because “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”
Horton gives us a good witness to the virtue of faith. He believes without seeing. He stays true to his conviction, despite what others say. He trusts in the person who spoke to him from the speck.
Perhaps that last point is the most significant. Like Horton, we base our faith in the presence of a Person. We don’t believe in some ambiguous force or a distant deity. We proclaim that God is with us, even if we can’t always see Him. We profess to have a relationship with Him through Jesus the Christ, God with us – Emmanuel.
In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus tells us that faith can help us do incredible things. He is not referring to faith as if it were an object or some kind of magical talisman. Instead, Jesus is telling us that faith is a relationship with God. If we develop that relationship, if we place our trust in Him, then He can do mighty deeds through us.
To develop a deeper faith in God, we must practice placing our trust in Him. For this I have found it helpful to pray with Psalm 31:6, the same words which Jesus spoke as He died upon the Cross; “Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, LORD, God of truth.”
The more we can place ourselves and our lives into God’s hands, especially during difficult times, the more our faith will grow. We will find that He is real, He is faithful, and we can trust Him. Although we might not see Him, He will give us the faith to follow His call, just like Horton did when he heard a Who!
Merciful Father, help us to surrender our lives and our wills into your loving Hands, for you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.