Fickle Faith – 11 February 2009

"O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." Matthew 17:17 [NIV]

Jesus said this when a boy with epilepsy was brought to him after his disciples failed to heal him through lack of faith.  Jesus said that if we have faith “as small as a mustard seed” we would find nothing impossible.  Apparently, we are still living in that “unbelieving and perverse generation” since there appears to be a distinct lack of faith.

Our lifestyles and wealth distract us from relying on God and mean that sometimes we are living by material wealth and our own resources – rather than living by faith.  Perhaps the current financial climate is an opportunity for us to enter into discussions with those who are finding that they cannot rely on their job or their bank balance to give them the security they crave.

For me, I often find that I am deviating from the path of faith.  It’s a bit like my journey home from work which involves crossing a major road.  Sometimes, I find the traffic is heavy in both directions and as I wait for a suitable gap in the traffic I am tempted to deviate from the best route home.  Instead of waiting, I turn left, out of impatience, and go with the flow - even though it takes me in the wrong direction and away from the “straight and narrow” road home.  What I want to do is wait until the time is right and cross the road – what I actually do is deviate from the correct path to take the wrong route.

Lord, help us to patiently wait for You – not to seek the wisdom of the world, or to be distracted from our chosen path by impatience.  Amen.