Moving Mountains

"He replied, "Because you have so little faith.  Truly I tell you, 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."  (NIV)  Matthew 17:20

This weekend I had the wonderful pleasure of visiting the White Mountains in New Hampshire with my husband.  We always enjoy going to this special place for a needed retreat from everyday life.  This beautiful part of our state never lets us down.  The beauty of this area just soaks into your body, leaving you with a sense of calm and serenity.  It is just serene.

This time, as we looked out onto the Presidential Range and the top of Mount Washington, I couldn't help but reflect on our verse for today - moving mountains.  These mountains, so large and breathtaking, are the types of mountains are Dear Lord is talking about in this verse.  I can't even imagine these mountains moving.  

Yet, as Jesus shared, our faith in Him is that massive, that powerful, that incredible.  What Jesus gives to us is just that - faith!  He tells us that our faith may be small, as small as the smallest seed on earth.  Yet faith THAT small can move something with such grandeur.  If we were to put a mustard seed at the bottom of the mountain above, it would get lost among the immensity of the mountain.

Our faith, though, the faith in our Jesus doesn't get lost.  It doesn't become so small that it can't accomplish anything.  In fact, our faith - as small as it may be - can move greatness.  Our faith, can be the source of so much.

Our faith, though small and simple, can lead to answered prayers.  These prayers of faith may be of healing for a sick friend.  These prayers of faith may be for God to find a lost soul.  These prayers of faith may be for joy to fill a sad heart.  These prayers of faith may be for us to seek joy.  ALL of these prayers are prayers of faith- small, simple faith - that can accomplish greatness.

Our faith, though small and simple, can lead to strength.  Strength in weakness (physical, mental, spiritual).  Strength in fear (fear of the known or the unknown).  Strength in temptations (of sin and wrong doings).  Success in all these things come from faith - small, simple faith - which give us great strength.

Our Lord wants us to put our faith fully in Him.  Yet, he knows our weaknesses.  He lived among us and fully understands our sinful nature.  Therefore, He shares that small faith in Him, simple faith in what He can do, can move those mountains we face every day.  The next time you are facing a mountain of a struggle, remember that the small, simple faith we have in Jesus is all He asks from us to be able to move our mountains.  May we all rejoice in that blessing!!

"Heavenly Father, we thank you for taking our small faith and doing great things with it.  Please help us to continue to grow our faith in you - turning to you when the mountains of this life seem so large.  Help us to remember that with the small and simple faith of a mustard seed, you can do great things!"