After I read this reflection of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at DailyScripture.net, I became silent, went to a mirror and stared at my reflection. I will share this with you so you can gain your own insight, too.
“What did Jesus mean when he said that our faith can move trees and mountains as well (see Matthew17:20; Mark 11:23)?
The term “mountain remover” was used for someone who could solve great problems and difficulties. Don’t we often encounter challenges and difficulties which seem beyond our power to handle? What appears impossible to human power is possible to those who believe in God’s power. Faith is a gift freely given by God to help us know God personally, to understand his truth, and to live in the power of his love. God expects more from us than we can simply do by ourselves.
That is why Jesus gives us the gift and power of the Holy Spirit who helps us to grow strong in faith, persevere in hope, and endure in love. Faith in God is the key for removing obstacles and difficulties which keep us from doing his will. We belong to God and our lives are no longer our own…for our faith to be effective it must be linked with trust and with obedience an active submission to God and a willingness to do whatever he commands. Do you trust in the grace and strength which God freely gives to help us resist temptation and to overcome obstacles in doing his will?
My mind started racing back to my last year in college. I only had a government scholarship to see me through. I was living alone because my family got dispersed after some disgruntled clients of my dad were harassing us. I was battered emotionally and financially. My P750 monthly scholarship stipend was always delayed and by the time I got it, I would just use it to pay my loans and I’d be broke again.
The urge to throw in the towel was so strong. The temptation to blame my parents and relatives for not taking care of us was gnawing inside me. I remember telling myself that I would get my revenge. “Wait till you see me succeed. Until I have my own wealth to show you, I do not want to see any of you at all.” Though I didn’t get to actually express that, this was the mantra that controlled me as I struggled to finish school. Envy at my classmates’ easy life also ate away at my pride and I felt small when I was with them.
But I knew I had to succeed. I relied on my own abilities. I finished college with honors and went to work right away and by God’s grace climbed the corporate ladder. It was sweet for me especially that I was able to rise above the obstacles and difficulties in life. I was leaning on my own intelligence and understanding.
Fast forward to today. It was not really about me and my fight for survival. It was about God who was there with me all the time, fighting my battles with me. I realized now it was my faith in God that kept me going.
For where did I draw strength to survive? Isn’t it by God’s grace? Who gave me the breaks in my career? Who moved people to recognize my ability? Isn’t it by God’s intervention?
And even if I wasn’t so spiritual then (although I was going to a school run by nuns), it was my faith in God that pushed me to believe that God will not forsake even if I don’t see any solutions before my eyes. It is this same faith that deterred me from making my suffering and hardships the excuses not to love God and my neighbors.
So looking at the mirror that morning after I read Don Schwager’s reflection, I saw the tired lines across my forehead and corner of my eyes. But I also saw the sparkle in my eyes when I think about my faith in God’s goodness.
God and my faith are my mountain movers and removers. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelations 21:4).
That is God’s promise of a happy and victorious life with Him by our side. All we need to do is to drive away the force of temptation to lose hope and resort to sin with another force—faith!
Just as I did before and until today as a widow, just hang in there with whatever struggles you have. God is holding the other end of your rope and He’s not letting go. Have faith! It’s the best force to move and remove your mountains.