Let’s eavesdrop on a conversation Jesus is having with His disciples about their faith. In Matthew 17:20 He said, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed . . . nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Think about how tiny a mustard seed is. The Bible has more to say: “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: but when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it” Mark 4:31, 32.  I’m getting excited about faith just reading this verse. You can’t get any smaller or bigger than that.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition defines a root as the “essential core,” an “underlying support.” Faith is the mustard seed; Jesus is the root, the essential core and underlying support. In the same dictionary “branch” is defined as a separate but dependent part of a central organization. People are the branches that are dependent on the essential core and underlying support—Jesus.

The pioneers of Message magazine, originally known as The Gospel Herald, and Oakwood College exhibited the faith of a mustard seed that was rooted in Jesus. Many branches have gone out to reach/invite souls to lodge/take refuge under the shadow of the Almighty. Their small beginnings have flourished into what is seen today. Message magazine is the oldest journal of its kind in the country. According to the U. S. News and World Report Oakwood College has ranked among America’s best colleges in the Southern Region for 10 consecutive years.

The National Association for the Prevention of Starvation (NAPS), an organization of students of Oakwood College, is actively ministering to those in need—physically, emotionally, and spiritually in their local communities, nationally, and internationally. They have sacrificed much time and energy—they are some of God’s branches.

The mustard seed faith can be yours. Little becomes much when placed in the Master’s hands.

Those of you who may not have accepted Jesus as your Root, there is no better time than now, wherever you are as you are reading this. You don’t have to be in a church setting to give your heart to Jesus. You may have only this moment. If Christ can take a tiny seed and make it grow, all He needs is this moment to make you a mighty branch to be used for His glory.

Those of us who have accepted Jesus may need to re-evaluate our faith journey and really tap into the Root. Now is the time for all of us. Tomorrow may be too late.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us . . .” (Ephesians 3:20). Nothing can be better than that.

PSH