Lack of Faith

“Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his own relatives and in his own home.’ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” (Mark 6:4-6)

During my quiet time the other day I came across eight words that absolutely broke me, “He was amazed at their lack of faith.” I read again the passage in Mark where Jesus is ministering in his home town, and the townspeople would not believe that the son of Joseph was any more than the carpenter’s son.

How many times have I trivialized Jesus in my life? How many times have I tried to put God in a box made of contemporary understanding instead of relying him as the author and perfector of life? I want to live a life that is pleasing to God and to rely on him for everything, but all to often I find myself slipping into the “I can do it myself” mentality. How can I, as a wife, mother, and Christian woman, make sure that Jesus is not amazed by my lack of faith? How can I live my life in a way that puts everything in the trust and control of my Lord and savior?

I can pray. I can read the Bible. I can trust that what God says is true. I can keep growing my faith by serving other people, and by looking to God’s Word for the solutions to all of life’s problems. Instead of thinking “I can go it all on my own,” I can acknowledge that “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13). I can not do anything by own power, or without tapping into God's power on a daily basis.

Prayer: Lord, please fill my heart with your Holy Spirit. Please guide my life so that I will be filled with faith in you and in your son, Jesus. Make your Word my guiding post and show me how to live my life in a way that will be pleasing to you. Remove my lack of faith and fill me with your love. In Jesus name, Amen.