God has put something on my heart over the last week. It came to me when I was talking with my Dad on Easter "Eve" and I was struck by this thought so hard, that I feel compelled to talk about it. Part of this may end up in my sermon for this month.
Over the last 6 months I have watched God do AMAZING things in my life and the lives of those around me. Those who believe and those who do not yet believe have come together to begin building a church. Sometimes it comes in the mundane and ordinary, other times it comes in the extraordinary and supernatural. God moves in many ways, ways I could not hope to understand as I sit here. Despite all the things He has done through the people who read this blog and many who don't, I have been intimidated by the challenge He has put before me. I told my Dad that even though I can look around and see God's blessings, they seem to pale in comparison to the mountain I find rising before me.
Then I began to think, mountains are rarely conquered by "big things" that come all at once. What gives a man the ability to conquer a mountain? It is always small things! Things like rope, shoes, protective outerwear, supplies, and courage. Compared to Mt Everest a coil of rope is nothing, NOTHING! However, without that small insignificant coil of rope, climbing a mountain is near impossible under our own power. Mt Everest has outlasted miles and miles of rope, it will outlast miles and miles more. But that little bit of rope will allow a finite, fragile human being to conquer a forbidding, impervious monument of nature.
When it seems that the things around you are overwhelming and you were looking for God to blow the problem up, but He provides a you only a rope; remember this one thing. Even the biggest obstacle can be overcome with small things. It won't be easy, but God never promised us "easy". When God provides a chance, He knows that you can rise to the task.
Matthew 5:3-12
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus has called the small, the inconsequential, the insignificant to be His emissaries. We look at the mountain and worry that it will beat us, but remember the God who made the mountains also made you. He will give you the tools to be victorious, you need only to trust Him and use what He has given.
Grace and Peace
New Living Translation (©2007)
ReplyDelete"You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."
you already have the mustard seed faith....now start using your rope. Love Dad
Another comment considering there appears to be room....
ReplyDeleteDavid had many experiences facing down lions, tigers and bears in his young life and learning to use his sling to bring them down. I am sure he probably had a number of close calls when things didn't go quite right with the beasts but everytime he learned something more. Finally he came to that moment when he had to face the mountain, Goliath. Yes, his mustard seed faith gave him the push to go out with confidence that God would be with him, no matter what the end result would be. But his experiences that God allowed him to suffer and work though first gave him the ability to nail Goliath in the head. Every thing we "suffer" through now adds more experience, knowledge and trust that God is good. And what we are allowed to go through here prepares us for the future, both now and in eternity.
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." {Rom 5:3-5 NIV}
Love Dad.....again (where is everybody?)
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Another way to support them!