Faith That Doesn’t Pretend

This morning, I ate the word from Mark 9.

It's 5.50 am, and I'm sitting here at Erumeli KSRTC bus stand, waiting for a bus to Kuttikkanam - to finally attend the camp for which I've been waiting for so long. Oh Lord, Talk to me today. Make me more like Jesus, your son. Reading the scriptures with such an attitude really has an impact on me. This gives me so much joy!

I was so stunned by how much Jesus was teaching His disciples! The first thing that caught me was the transfiguration. Jesus took Peter, James and John up the mountain, and suddenly His appearance changed before them. And then Moses and Elijah appeared! I was just imagining what it would have been like to SEE that! 😭 Peter immediately wanted to make three shelters, but then the voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” That made me pause. SELAH😄. Am I actually listening to Jesus, or am I too busy trying to do something for Him?

Then I noticed the disciples couldn't drive out the demon from the boy, but Jesus did it. How cool that'd be. Later Jesus says, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” That reminded me that ministry is not about my ability or experience. I need to depend on Jesus!!

And then verse 24 really touched me. “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!” I LOVE how honest this man was. He didn't pretend to have perfect faith. He brought even his unbelief to Jesus. Maybe I also don't have to hide my struggles from Him. I can simply say, “Jesus, I believe, but help me where I don't.”

And then Jesus talks about being the servant of all, welcoming children, not causing others to stumble, and even cutting off anything that causes me to sin. Following Jesus is serious!

Precious Holy Spirit, help me to listen to Jesus, depend on him, bring my little faith and unbelief to him, and become a Christovert who serves rather than seeks to be great. Help the readers as well. Father God, I love you!

In Jesus' name, Amen.