This past Sunday, we found ourselves echoing the disciples’ words to Jesus: “Lord, increase our faith!” They had just heard Him speak of some difficult demands of discipleship— having to forgive again and again and avoiding stumbling blocks that harm others’ faith. I know that cry well. And perhaps you do, too: “Lord, give us faith and patience!”

We heard that same cry for help from the prophet Habakkuk. He does not hold back: “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you ‘Violence!’ and you will not save?” His words sound like our world today: “Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails” (Habakkuk 1:1-4). Yet Habakkuk reminds us that despair is not the final word. God has spoken: “For there is still a vision for the appointed time… If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay… Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith” (Habakkuk 2:3–4).

That phrase, “the righteous live by their faith,” is key for us. Faith is not about certainty— it is about trust. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” Paul says (Hebrews 11:1). We lean into God’s love and goodness, even when we cannot see, even when the world is unreliable and painful. And God holds us close.

Jesus Himself reassures us: even “faith the size of a mustard seed” is enough (Luke 17:6). We don’t need to grow huge, perfect, unshakable belief to be good disciples. God works with the tiniest seed. The ordinary, mustard seed-sized faith and trust we already have is enough for us to be effective disciples— humble, loving, compassionate, kind, generous and forgiving. And this is true no matter what the world around us looks like.

With even this little faith, miracles begin to take root. Not always in grand, visible ways, but in lives quietly transformed. We are able to uproot our human tendency to be selfish and instead grow into caring, compassionate, loving, selfless people who love our Creator and our neighbors. And we are able to speak the Good News—out loud, on purpose! These are miracles, too! And they are even more extraordinary in a world in which it feels as though wrongdoing and strife have the last word.

Jesus essentially says to us: “Even with the seemingly little faith you have, you have enough.” Enough to live with courage. Enough to keep hope alive. Enough to love and to forgive.

So, I leave you with Habakkuk’s promise: “For there is still a vision for the appointed time… it will surely come, it will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3). My friends, the harvest is here. We are the laborers. Even the smallest seed of faith, planted and harvested in love, can change the world.

Trinity Episcopal Church welcomes you each Sunday at 10:00 a.m., where you will find a warm congregation, uplifting liturgy, and the good news of God’s love shared in word and sacrament. All are welcome—come and be part of a community that seeks to stand tall together in faith and love.