Reflections about a Mustard Seed

Five years ago, I wrote this piece after reading an article titled The Struggle for Faith. Its premise still resonates deeply with me today. The author proposed that “unless we are content to be intellectually, logically, and spiritually static, we must move in new directions, open up new avenues, and remain discontent (and restless) with what we presently know” (Singarayar, 2014, p. 23).

This idea of restlessness struck a chord. My walking journey encapsulates the essence of resisting stagnation. Each step reflects a pursuit of new directions, of discovering paths I hadn’t anticipated. One unexpected avenue has been the deepening of faith and spiritual growth—a journey that has challenged me to embrace discomfort and uncertainty.

For the purposes of this reflection, I define faith as “the conviction of things not seen,” a concept rooted in Hebrews 11:3. Spiritual growth, as I’ve come to understand it, is not a straightforward path, nor does it always emerge from logical reasoning. While I once believed that spiritual truths were primarily intellectual or dialectical—attainable through debates and structured arguments—I’ve found that they often reveal themselves in the restless, uncomfortable spaces of life. As Sandage, Jankowski, and Link (2010) explain, “spiritual development is dynamic and dialectical,” involving the process of engaging with truth through reflection and challenge (p. 15).

A Walk Into Discomfort

In August 2014, I experienced one of those moments. Early one Wednesday morning, I lay awake, staring at the numbers on my alarm clock as they ticked steadily forward: 12:00 AM. Then 1:15 AM. Sleep eluded me, and my body ached from the base of my shoulders to the soles of my feet. The physical toll of my last training session was inescapable, the soreness a familiar companion. Twice a week, I train, and I’ve learned to anticipate this ache—a visceral reminder of the effort exerted and the progress sought.

But the pain wasn’t just muscular. That night, I also battled tactile hypersensitivity, a condition that amplifies physical discomfort when objects, like fabric, brush against the skin. I often describe it to others using the analogy of a shirt tag scratching the sensitive area between the neck and shoulders. Imagine being unable to remove that tag and feeling its persistent irritation travel up and down your limbs. That night, the discomfort stretched far beyond the physical—it pressed into my spirit.

Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed

As a child, I often heard sermons about faith, even faith as small as a mustard seed. Over the years, I’ve revisited this metaphor countless times. The mustard seed, as described in biblical and theological literature, is one of the smallest of seeds, representing “small beginnings” that grow into “great results” (Harrington, 2008, p. 31). This metaphor speaks to me in profound ways.

The growth and maintenance of my own mustard seed of faith have required me to dwell in those restless, uncomfortable spaces. Walking, training, and writing are all part of this process. For me, walking is no longer just about moving my body—it’s about preserving mobility, both physical and spiritual. This preservation often means leaning into discomfort, allowing it to teach me patience and perseverance.

Wiley’s Walk and the Journey of Faith

Through my blog, Wiley’s Walk, I’ve shared this journey—a journey of holding on to the smallest seed of faith, nurturing it, and watching it grow. The mustard seed reminds me that small beginnings hold the promise of unexpected growth. What we plant in faith today may not show its full fruition tomorrow, but the act of planting is a profound declaration of hope.

The journey of faith and walking is dynamic, not linear. It pulls me into spaces of vulnerability and reflection, yet it also propels me forward, step by step, into new and uncharted avenues of spiritual growth. Sharing this journey is my way of cultivating that growth—of tending to the mustard seed and inviting others to reflect on their own.

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References

• Harrington, D. J. (2008). Mustard, wheat and weeds. America, 199(1), 31.
• Sandage, S. J., Jankowski, P. J., & Link, D. C. (2010). Quest and spiritual development moderated by spiritual transformation. Journal of Psychology & Theology, 38(1), 15-31.
• Singarayar, J. (2014). The struggle for faith. Priest, 70(8), 23-24.

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Portions of this article were originally published in the “Endless CapABILITIES Blog”, and National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability, sponsored by The National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (www.nchpad.org). NCHPAD is part of the UAB/Lakeshore Research Collaborative and supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number U59DD000906 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).