The Surprising Power of Small Faith: How a Mustard Seed Can Move Mountains

Awakening Your Dormant Faith: Inspiration from a Devoted Explorer

Have you ever felt your faith slipping into dormancy, like a fire losing its heat? You're not alone. Many believers move through seasons where their spiritual life feels paused or weakened. But here's the good news: dormant faith can be reignited, and living a devoted life to Christ is a journey worth pursuing. Today, we explore this vital topic through the inspiring story of Kari Hunnicutt, a devout explorer, triathlete, and author of Dormant Faith. Her journey exemplifies how faith, when awakened and put into action, transforms lives — including our own.In this post, you'll learn how to recognize dormant faith, practical steps to revive it, and ways to live intentionally with Christ daily. Whether you're feeling spiritually dry or seeking to deepen your relationship with God, Kari’s insights and experiences will guide you toward a more vibrant, active faith.

What Does Dormant Faith Look Like?

Faith isn't a static condition; it ebbs and flows. Often, dormant faith manifests as a lukewarm relationship with God — attending church out of habit, but not actively engaging in prayer, scripture, or the Great Commission. Kari describes it as a relationship where Jesus becomes "the pocket Jesus" — only pulled out when needed, rather than a daily companion.This seasonal dormancy can sneak in for many reasons: busyness, distractions, spiritual fatigue, or uncertainty about how to live out their faith. Sometimes, believers may even feel they're 'doing enough' by attending church once a week or listening to worship music sporadically, but their hearts lack ongoing connection with Christ. Kari emphasizes that dormant faith isn't just about neglect but often a passive state where faith feels more like an optional part of life rather than life itself. Recognizing this is the crucial first step to revival.

How to Recognize and Address Dormant Faith

1. Self-Assessment: Are You Spiritually Stuck?Ask yourself:

• Do I feel distant from God, even during prayer or worship?
• Am I passing by opportunities to serve or share my faith?
• Do I feel indifferent when thinking about spiritual growth?

If you answer "yes" to these, your faith might be dormancy, and it’s time for action.2. Reignite Your Relationship with GodKerry advises focusing on your relationship as your top priority. Just like with any relationship, regular communication is key:

• Daily conversation:

  Talk with God throughout your day.

• Read the Word:

  Immerse yourself in scripture—it's God's love letter to you.

• Surround yourself with believers:

  Accountability partners and community uplift faith and provide encouragement.

3. Overcome Common Barriers Many believers face hurdles like fear, feeling unprepared, or spiritual fatigue. Kari's book Dormant Faith offers practical steps to confront these:

• Address fears by trusting in the Holy Spirit’s power.
• Break life down into manageable steps—don't wait for perfect conditions.
• Be honest about your struggles and seek support.

4. Embrace Small Steps of Faith Even a tiny seed of faith, as Jesus described, can grow into something powerful. Kerry stresses that faith doesn't have to be giant; it can start as small as a mustard seed, trusting God to do the rest.

Living a Devoted Life Daily

Surrender Everything to Christ Kari shares her personal journey from a self-driven faith to one rooted in surrender. Living devoted means inviting Jesus into every decision, expectation, and moment:

• Pray before making plans.
• Live intentionally, aligning your actions with God’s Word.
• Practice gratitude, acknowledging God's sovereignty in all circumstances.

Make Faith ActionableJesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) remains a call to action:

• Share your faith without fear.
• Serve those in need.
• Engage across cultural and social lines, demonstrating Christ’s love.

Kari surveyed fellow believers; many admit they aren’t living out the Great Commission effectively, often due to fear or feeling overwhelmed. Her message is clear: you don’t need giant faith—just surrender and obedience.Rely on the Power of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses. Kerry highlights Acts 1:8, reminding us that the Spirit’s power is available today. Living a devoted life means daily seeking the Spirit’s guidance and strength to do what God has called us to do.

Inspiring Stories of Faith in Action

Kerry’s life exemplifies faith in motion. From her triathlon journey—training for Ironman races in Washington and across different terrains—to her mission work in Senegal, her story underlines how faith propels us into action.Her involvement with “Go! On The Mission” led her to Senegal, where she helped build and expand a Christian school in a Muslim community. Despite obstacles like land negotiations and community skepticism, her unwavering faith and obedience resulted in a thriving school and transformed lives — including the eventual sale of land previously unavailable for purchase, illustrating how prayer and trust can move mountains.Kerry’s journey teaches us that living a devoted life isn't just about personal spiritual growth but also about stepping out in faith to impact others around us.

Practical Steps to Revive Your Faith Today

• Dedicate time daily to prayer and Bible reading.

  Even 10 minutes can make a difference.

• Join a faith-based community or accountability group.

  Mutual encouragement fuels spiritual growth.

• Practice gratitude and surrender.

  Honestly ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas needing revival.

• Take action:

  Reach out to someone, serve, or share your faith, trusting God to multiply your efforts.

• Reflect regularly:

  Use journaling or quiet moments to assess your spiritual walk and celebrate progress.

Conclusion: Your Faith Adventure Awaits

Kerry’s story reminds us that no matter how dormant our faith may seem, God's power can awaken it. Living a devoted life involves consistent surrender, action, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Just as Kerry's journey took her from a love of travel and sports to life-changing missions, your faith journey can be transformed through small, obedient steps.Remember, the greatest adventure begins when you surrender your plans and trust God to lead. Your dormant faith can be the seed for a flourishing, vibrant relationship with Christ—one that moves mountains and transforms lives — including your own.

Next steps?

Reflect on where your faith stands today. Identify one small action to take toward revival. And trust that the Holy Spirit will guide you into the extraordinary life God has prepared for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are signs of dormant faith?Signs include feeling distant from God, a lack of enthusiasm for spiritual activities, or hesitating to share your faith with others.Can dormant faith be revived naturally?Absolutely. Prayer, scripture reading, community support, and obedience are key steps. It starts with small yet intentional actions.How does surrendering fully to Christ help revive faith?Surrendering allows the Spirit to work freely within you, transforming your motives and actions, and leading you into a more vibrant, active faith.What role does the Holy Spirit play in living a devoted life?The Holy Spirit empowers, guides, and strengthens us daily, enabling us to obey Christ and live out our faith boldly.How can I overcome fear and insecurity about sharing my faith?Focus on God's promises, pray for courage, and remember that even small acts of obedience can have eternal impacts.

Remember:

Your faith journey is active, and God is eager to revive and strengthen it. Like Kerry, you can step into a life of powerful living, guided by faith, surrender, and action.