The Secret to Mountain Moving . . .

We all experience dark days of the soul. The unpromising storms of life, which bellow at us externally and internally, create unrest. We pray and pray some more, yet at times, it seems as though those prayers hit the ceiling with a thud. We might even scold our self, saying, we don’t have enough faith. Uncertainty and defeat climb on us like clinging vines oppressing any faith and hope we think we might own. At least that is the way dark days feel.

For some, the struggle to get out of bed takes more energy and faith then they can muster. Have you been there? I have. I’ve been in dark days in which I felt there would be no end to the sorrow. Days where the clinging vines wrapped around me so hard, I felt my breath escape.

Jesus told his disciples, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you,” (Matthew 17:20).

A mustard seed is only 1 or 2 mm in diameter. That’s a little seed. One day, when upheaval kept blowing my way, I thought about this fact and this promise. Our son, Jason, had been arrested and pleaded his innocence. “Mom, really I didn’t do this. I’m being set-up.” My heart-of-hearts wanted to believe he was telling the truth. But here my son was in jail, again. What and who was I to believe. The detective, in a conversation said, “You ought to forget about your son.” Those words hit like a flaming arrow. Forget about my son—those were fighting words to this mother. My intuitive radar kicked in and I knew something unethical was lurking behind the blinds.

Anxiety crushed my soul like a zillion ton of bricks. I was helpless. Jason’s fate was out of my control (as I know it never was in my control!). Even though, l began to think about a little verse tucked away in the crevices of my heart, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed.” And suddenly, like an ocean wave that surprises you, I thought Hey faith as small as a mustard seed! I have faith as small as a mustard seed, so I began to pray, “I’ve been a Christian for over thirty years Lord, not that I need to remind you, and I know you are the Almighty God, I know you can do mighty things. I’m positive I have faith as small as a mustard seed. And you say if I have that much faith, I can move mountains. Lord, there is a mountain bigger than life staring my son in the face. I know, Lord he is probably guilty of other actions, aren’t we all guilty of something; however, I believe God he is telling the truth. So God, I invoke my mustard seed faith in the truth of your promise and I say to this mountain be gone. Let truth triumph over falsehood.” And that was that, I waited with the patients of a hungry lion.

Several months, after praying my mustard seed prayer, Jason was released from County Jail with all charges dropped. He said, “You know mom, it’s okay I was in jail—there’s lots of things I’ve done that I’ve never gotten caught for, and God wanted me there. I started a bible study and led someone to the Lord. For that, it was all worth it.”

Is there a mountain shadowing your days of joy? Then I encourage you to cry, scream, and yell and when you’ve exhausted yourself and there is no more left of you, then pull on your combat boots and prepare to fight. Invoke your faith, small as it is, knowing that Jesus is not a liar, “I tell you the truth,” he says, “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,” and I’m sure you do, “you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you,” (Matthew 17:20).

The apostle Paul said, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen,” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

When you put into motion your mustard seed faith, remember it is “his **[God’s] power that is at work within us [you].” I’m neither into formulas nor putting faith in faith, or believing we have to muster mounds of faith to move God to action. Honest, childlike faith, even as small as a mustard seed, will move God on your behalf—he is our burden bearer, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you,” (1 Peter 5:7 NKJV).

What are you waiting for—go plant that mustard seed of faith in the soil of prayer and watch the Can Do God come to your aid in his perfect time.

*I used Jason’s story with his permission, in case you were wondering. **Brackets inserted for clarity.

Have a reply about faith, a story to share, please don’t be shy!

Do You Grow Impatient in Waiting on God?

Read Psalm 130:5-6

Waiting! Did you know, on an average, you will wait six months at a traffic stop, and a total of 5 years in a line? Yes, waiting is a part of daily life. I wonder sometimes if we are just as restless as children on a road trip, eager to get to their destination by asking every five minutes are we there yet? When we are waiting for an answer to an important prayer–perhaps about a decision we are making–or news, which will change our life forever, waiting creates a sort of nervous twitch in our spirit. Especially if God has promised, “. . . I am doing a new thing,” (Isaiah 43:18). The anticipation can drive us crazy.

Whichever one you are “waiting” for, learning to wait requires faith and trust. Faith in who God is and what he can do. Trusting that he will do what he has promised. We might have a sense of “something new stirring,” however, when we don’t “see” the whole picture we become spiritually restless. Generally because this new thing or answer is not unfolding in our particular timetable. I think of Abraham’s wife, Sarah, in growing impatient for her child, who assisted God in carrying out his promise. Her actions affected a whole nation. Like Sarah we are impatient. We know God does all things well, yet we rush ahead of him because after all God needs us!

In my restless waiting for God to launch me into a new direction, God gave me a dream one night. I had planted daffodils and was impatient to see them sprout. I begged God to let my flowers bloom, so he did. Brilliant yellow daffodils unfolded before my eyes. Delight thrilled my heart–yes, my longing achieved. But delight turned to dread. No sooner did my daffodils flower, they quickly withered. The lesson: God’s timing is perfect and has lasting results. To hurry God’s timing is to forfeit the full blessing of what he is doing in us, through us, and for his glory.

God commands us to be still and KNOW that he is God, (Psalms 46:10). Andrew Murray said, “Waiting on God will depend greatly on our faith of what he is.” As your soul waits on God, think on what and who he is. For example:
He does not grow weary or tired (Isaiah 40:28)
His understanding is unsearchable (Isaiah 40:28)
He is the LORD Almighty who created all things (Isaiah 40:26)
He is strong (Psalms 24:8)
He is the one who says, “I am God” (Isaiah 43: 10-12)
He is faithful (Deuteronomy 32:4)
He is with us (Hebrews 13:5)
He is our help (Psalms 46:1)
He is gracious and full of compassion (Nehemiah 9:17)
He is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

So as you are waiting and waiting and waiting, be still and remember God has a perfect time to fulfill His promises and to answer your prayers. God is never late and his wisdom is perfect–because He IS GOD!

Prayer: Lord as I wait for you to unfold your promises and to do a new thing, keep me from striving. Help me to mirror a soul that waits only upon you in patient expectations. Help me to wait for your perfect will to unfold. Keep my mind from anxious thoughts, which only destroys my peace. Cause me to rest fully in you, for you are my peace.

Are You Sure THIS is the Way, God?

Read Jeremiah 29:11-13

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noon day sun.
-Psalm 37:5-6 (NIV)

Picture a dilapidated bridge dangling from one end of the canyon to the next. Seventy-five feet below lay sharp jagged rocks, yet the guide assures you secure passage to the other side. Trust me he says. Will you cross the bridge?

When I read, “I trust in you, O Lord . . .” (Psalm 31:14 NIV), I wondered, do I really? Do I see God as a foolish guide who wants to lead me across a tattered bridge? How apt am I to trust God when life looks like a pile of jagged rocks? Do I look upon my expedition with God as exhausting rather than exploratory?

I’ve discovered when I dwell too long on the “knowing” I’m on the right path, it enmeshes me in confusion and consumes vital energy. Did God say cross that bridge, or not? Did I hear him right? What did He say I would do when I’ve reached the other side? Ugh!

I discovered when I spend to much time trying to figure out “did God say” or what my “genuine” purpose is, my eyes become shortsighted. I then misplace my trust. I neglect pressing forward to occupy and bear fruit for God’s kingdom–in the now.

But when I relax (trust) in God’s leading and His knowledge of me, I can let go of that “need” to be assured that what I am doing, and the direction I am moving in, is approved by God. I can know that even when the journey is bumpy and unpredictable, which always raises uncertainty, God has not changed his mind or removed what he has put in my heart. I can press forward, regardless.

God assures us that he has plans for us. The Word also says, ” . . . for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable,” (Romans 11:29). What is in your heart to do? God will guide you and me, even across that dilapidated bridge, if needed, as we trust and walk with Him daily. So move forward with the good things in your heart, the desires you have–I am certain you can be sure God put that call and those gifts in you for a purpose–just remember God desires you take him on your journey–trust him.

Prayer
Father, thank you for the gifts you’ve given me and your call that is irrevocable. Cause my heart to trust in you as I step out in faith to follow my dream. Amen.