Faith: A Journey of Belief, Love, and Action
Written by Dipika Badar-Ud-Din
In Matthew 17:20-21, Jesus imparts a profound truth: “For truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; nothing will be impossible for you.”
The mustard seed holds a great promise. It is one of the tiniest of seeds, yet it has the potential to grow into a large, life-sustaining tree. Like a mustard seed, our faith may begin small but with nurturing, it transforms into something mighty and full of purpose.
Just as the mustard seed grows into a large tree, our faith, when nourished, will grow into a force capable of moving mountains. The mountains in our lives may be obstacles, struggles, or crises of belief, but with faith, these barriers can be overcome. However, this is not a passive faith. A seed will not grow unless it is planted and cared for. In the same way, our faith will not “move mountains” unless we act upon it—believing not just in the power of God but also stepping out in action, rooted in love.
It’s essential to remember that faith is never meant to stand alone. Love is the fertile soil in which our faith takes root and flourishes. Without love, faith loses its power. Without love, even the strongest faith cannot move a single grain of sand. As we face the mountains in our lives, we must approach them not only with unwavering faith but with love—a love for God, for ourselves, and for others.
Faith, no matter how small, is powerful. And though the journey may seem daunting, the promise remains: with even the smallest seed of faith, we are capable of overcoming any challenge, no matter how impossible it may seem. This is the assurance Jesus offers us. We are invited not just to have faith but to live it—to act upon it, to grow it, and to express it through love.
Faith is the light that pierces through the darkest tunnel. It is the compass that points us north when we’ve lost our way. Faith is what we cling to when everything else seems distant, fragile, and uncertain. It isn’t always easy to hold on to faith, especially when the storm clouds gather. But this is precisely when faith becomes the anchor that keeps us steady. But let us be reminded—our faith, rooted in God’s promises, is steadfast and unshakeable. Just as the mustard seed, when nurtured, grows into something powerful, like our faith grows in every trail. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command” (Hebrews 11:1-3).
God is at work, preparing us for what has already been prepared for us. The mountains we face are not obstacles to discourage us but opportunities to strengthen and stretch our faith. We must hold fast to our faith, trusting that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. As we look ahead to the days and months to come, let us ask ourselves: How can I put my faith into action today?