The Growth of Faithናሙና

THE SMALL STEP OF FAITH

Faith is a journey. You can’t straight away have a strong and big faith. To have such faith, you must be dare to take the first baby steps. Oftentimes, it so difficult to take this small step that many people fail by not taking it at all.

Mark 3: 1-6 tells of the healing of a man with a withered hand. This incident certainly changed the man's life radically. However, where did the changes start? It was started with one small step that was taken by the man when Jesus said, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. (verse. 5). 

Many people want to believe in Jesus by knowing everything in advance. Following Jesus doesn't always work that way. We can't wait to find out everything first before following Jesus! That is not the essence of faith.

Who among us knows the intricacies of electricity? Perhaps, most of us don't know. However, we certainly don't want to just sit in the dark, just because we don't know anything about electricity yet. There are just two things we need to know: we need lighting, and electricity can provide that light. That's what makes us use electricity.

We also don't know much about how our digestive organs work. We cannot understand how food can be absorbed by the blood, bones, and other tissues. However, do any of us want to endure hunger just because we don't know how the food will be digested?

The first step is small and simple. However, do not think of it as something trivial and easy. Jesus asked the man whose hand was paralyzed to stretch out his hand. Maybe it is easy for us, but it might not be an easy thing for him. He had to stretch out his lame hand! He certainly had to believe that Jesus could make the impossible possible.

Faith does not begin with knowledge, but courage. We must not be afraid to take the first small steps to believe.

Today’s devotional 

1. How does our faith grow?

2. Do you remember the little steps of faith that we have ever taken? 

What is the result?

Today’s actions

It is easy for us to do what God wants us to do when we are motivated by need. Let us do things according to His will.