Luke 17:5b

"Increase our faith."

Is the standard so high it's unreachable? Isn't there an easier route? Knowing that I couldn't attain it without sweat and tears, without great risk and cost, and knowing that even if I did I wouldn't be first or the best has steered me in regrettable directions. Must it be all or nothing?

The pursuit of a dream, a calling, something that requires great faith, is limited only by the comfort and warmth of the bed it's created in. Are all feats of significant courage to be manufactured there? Certainly an unobstructed mind or relaxed position is helpful.

But if faith the size of a minuscule mustard seed can move stationary mountains, is it great? I would hardly think something that tiny as power-packed. Was David's faith great when he slew Goliath? Was Moses' faith great when he stood before Pharoah? Was Peter's faith great when he stepped out of that boat and remained dry when all forces of nature naturally begged otherwise? I'm not sure any of these heroes of faith possessed any more than me. So perhaps the disciples' request was flawed from the beginning. Seeing the impossibility to forgive without number, to be perfect if you will, they asked their Savior for more faith. But they didn't need more. What they needed was to lay hold of what they had. Great faith is not required to do great things; utilized faith is required to do the ultimate things.

Perhaps my cup is full, my faith is completely developed. But like any muscle, if not exercised it becomes limp and weak. It doesn't take much, what it takes is using what I've got. As little as 4 kilograms of plutonium, when assembled with sophisticated design, can devastate an entire countryside.

No longer shall I ask God to increase my faith, because I'm saturated in it. But I will ask God to help me apprehend my faith and then watch Him do great things through it.

Yes my fellow brothers in Jesus, you disciples who walked, ate, and slept with Him, yes perfection is required. And perfection we have obtained already. Now in that may I do as you did, laying aside every encumbrance and running with endurance the race, the mother of all marathons, set before me, keeping my eyes on Jesus, the author and PERFECTOR of my faith. (cf. Hebrews 12:1b)