Mountain Moving Faith

Jesus answered, 'Because your faith is too small. I tell you the truth, if your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. All things will be possible for you. [That kind of spirit comes out only if you use prayer and fasting.]" ---Matthew 17:19-21 (NCV)

"It need not discourage us if we are full of doubts. Healthy questions keep faith dynamic. In fact, unless we start with doubts we cannot have a deep-rooted faith. One who believes lightly and unthinkingly has not much of a belief. One who has a faith which is not to be shaken has won it through blood and tears--has worked his or her way from doubt to truth as one who reaches a clearing through a thicket of brambles and thorns."---Helen Keller

This is a short hug from God.

This morning, I was reading a book entitled, "The Language of Recovery". In it, there is a Chinese Proverb which says, "The man who moves mountains begins by carrying away small stones." Then one of my spiritual sisters, Miss Audra Rose, sent me the Helen Keller quote above and it got me to thinking.

God knows how hard it is to have faith. Like love, mercy, compassion, and (whew!) longsuffering, it is a spiritual trait and so our flesh is constantly at war against it. (Galatians 5:17) Because the Enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, and because the sacrifice of Christ opened the doors to an abundant life (John 10:10), the Enemy wants us to remain in our flesh; not just as it relates to our sinful nature, but when it comes to our desires and dreams, too because if we do, if we feed into what we see rather than what God says, they also have the potential to depart from us...to die. (Romans 8:13)

While in pursuit of what you (in line with God's agreement---James 4:2-3) want, do not forget that there are often tests that come along the way, but in them, there is great purpose:

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."---James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

What is the first word that describes "love" in the Love Chapter (I Corinthians 13)? PATIENCE. What is God? GOD IS LOVE. (I John 4:18) So, ultimately what does faith produce? More of God in our lives. When we have that what comes with it? Access to his blessings and promises:

"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, andin Him Amen, to the glory of God through us."---2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV)

What hit me like a ton of bricks this morning is that "mountain moving faith" is not always immediate nor does it necessarily mean that in one miraculous swoop the mountain will disappear. All that Christ assured us was that if we had faith (Hebrews 11:1), that is at least the size of a mustard seed, we could speak to the mountain and it would move. I think in some instances, for some of us, that is instantaneous, but because the Word also promises that trials mature faith, faith brings patience, and patience develops a higher level of love, which ultimately leads us to more of God, more times than not, our mountain moving faith experience will be like those stones that the Chinese Proverb speaks of.

Don't get discouraged. For every trial, every tribulation, every test, stand firm knowing that if you do not lose heart (Galatians 6:9), not only will you find yourself closer to your blessing, but to the Creator of it/them as well.

One day, one hour, one decision, one "stone" at a time.

©Shellie R. Warren/2008