“Acts of Faith in Everyday Life”

October 5, 2025

Luke 17:5–10

The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.

‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So, you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” ’ ***

Dear Friends, may the grace and mercy of God, we know chiefly in Jesus be yours in abundance, this day and always. Amen

During my early years as a pastor, I was often involved with youth ministry to a large population of high school students.

I hold many wonderful memories of the time spent with the youth of the congregation. I especially recall a fun day at Valley Fair and the lively discussion comparing roller coasters during the ride home. I was impressed by the number of different roller coasters they had ridden But I was most interested to listen to what they considered as features that made one roller coaster better than another.

For many of the guys, the feature they focused on was speed. Others rated the steepness of the drops. Then there were those who liked rollercoasters that had the sharpest curves.

I am not drawn to rollercoasters like I was years ago. But I still remember how those teens made me aware of the human tendency to evaluate and analyze. They knew how they wanted to evaluate and analyze rollercoasters. The disciples in this biblical reading were analyzing the size and strength of their faith — and they were sure they did not have enough. So they ask for more faith.

Have you known times when you wished you had more faith? These are tough time for people of faith. The world serves up realities every day that give us every reason to join the disciples saying to Jesus: “Increase our faith!”

I know the feeling of wanting more faith — or at least faith that is more resilient to withstand the hardships and heartbreak happening all over the human family.

But let me stop here. When I begin thinking I need more faith to withstand life’s hardship and the world’s bad news — then it is time to remember this story of Jesus and the disciples and what Jesus taught them.

When the disciples asked for an increase of faith. Jesus did not grant them an ounce. But in so many words, he said — “You guys, give up your insecurity about the amount faith you feel you have in your life. Because of me, you already have all the faith you need. Instead of asking for more, just use what you have. Put it to work. It does not take all that much to do pretty amazing things because my power is behind your faith and I am with you always.”

Truth be told, I can sympathize with the disciples. I wonder how I am going to keep the faith in those really hard times of life. I wonder how I am going to remain faithful and true to the promises I make to God and others and not fall short of the expectations of those around me. Maybe that is a little like how the disciples felt.

This may sound crazy — but faith is not about us. That is what Jesus was teaching the disciples and we would be wise to learn, too.

To be people of faith is about God — knowing we are created in God’s image and claimed in baptism. Faith then, is daily exercise based on that goodness God gives us. Faith involves remaining true to the God who gives life and hope — and taking that goodness into all the activities of daily life.

Here is a truth to hold: God does not need us to possess bigger faith. God does not evaluate the depth or breadth of our faith like those teens evaluated the rollercoasters. But God does call us to use faith — exercising it every day to bless others and show forth the goodness of the God in whom we hold faith.

By and large, it is important to take seriously the call from God to care for others, exercise responsibility, to employ the abilities God has given us and always, always forgive. But could it be that from time to time we worry that we do not have enough faith because we take ourselves a little too seriously.

I understand you may wonder what difference our individual acts of faith make in light of the major challenges and problems around us. With the news of shootings in schools and churches that leave children and teachers dead, to horrific murders as close by as Barron — to the increasing intolerance between people of different races, religions, and political persuasions, it can seem like faith has little value, its power and substance declining.

And then it is that I am forgetting about God and what Jesus said to those disciples: God is so powerful that if our faith is as small as a tiny seed, then our faith can stand up and do big things.

These days you may find it difficult to see signs of hope in the bigger picture of the world. Then it is all the more important to remember God’s mighty power for continuing to love and care for people and this world. The signs are present because God’s power resides in all the simple acts of faith you carry out every day.