In 1993 I had the opportunity to attend a workshop held in Estes Park, CO. Three words describe my thoughts:
ABSOLUTELY. BEAUTIFUL. COUNTRY!
The workshop was in April but I saw two things I had never seen before: snow still on the ground and Elk. I have always lived in the lower elevations so by April all snow was gone. If we did have one of those freakish snow storms, it was gone by the next day. Not there! I rode my bike while there and even though the sun was out, I saw snow. I have to admit I fell in love with Colorado.
In 1999, Jo & I took a long-awaited honeymoon. We celebrated our 26th anniversary that June and since we had never had a honeymoon, we headed west. We stayed two nights in Colorado Springs with some friends and did some sightseeing (and yes I rode my bike through the Garden of the Gods). Through the graciousness of a friend, we spent 3 days and 4 nights in Durango, about 10,000 ft. above sea level in a log home. My love affair with the mountains and Colorado was renewed. 🙂 (Jo was not fond of it though. She came down with altitude sickness). We made our way home; I said, “Goodbye” to Colorado and have never been back. 🙁
Mountains are a beautiful part of God’s creation. I imagine those who have freaky experiences with them might beg to differ, but seeing God’s beauty and grandeur was absolutely breathtaking. That is why reading this Scripture stopped me in my tracks. (emphasis on verse 7 for now). If you read my last post, you know I just finished this book, and the same day read the passage of Scripture. The connection wasn’t hard for me to make.
We all face mountains and there is no need for me to reiterate those. Jesus once said, “If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible with God.” I know, if you are like me, sometimes the mountains don’t move, at least not in the way or the time I want them to. So it is easy to get cynical about what Jesus is saying. But take another look at what Zechariah says: “the mountain shall become a plain.” Only someone who lives near mountains or hills (like I do and has to climb those hills on his bike) can truly appreciate the weight of that phrase. Mountains becoming plains is so vivid an imagery that it boggles my mind. Literally become a plain? No. But God can take our mountains and flatten them to make them easier to navigate. There is so much more to say but space limits me.
How about you? Facing some mountains right now? You will not be able to scale it by yourself: ” ‘Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord.” Any thoughts you care to share?
Bill, what strikes me is that if God is going do that, then we should not fear the mountains that we encounter. We should just look to Him and watch how He “flattens” them.
I’ll go with that Larry. Truth is: while it is human to fear, God wants us to move beyond that.
If people made less mountains out of molehills there would be a lot less mountains to worry about.
Very true.
Right now, too much uphill, not enough downhill. Struggling to hold on but still looking for a better path, His path toward the future. Blessings.
Been there done that Daniel. It will come. Blessings back at ya.
Never been to Colorado – but would love it!
The mountain moving thing is an act of big faith and choice. Jesus does tell us that we can move mountains. But a lot of folks get beat down by their past “efforts” at prayer and give up.
What I get out of this is the importance of perseverance. We all struggle with wanting microwave prayers. Jesus tells us we can move mountains but He also tells us we have to pray without ceasing. Don’t give up! There are a LOT of lessons God teaches us while waiting.
thanks Bill!
Good point about perseverance Craig. Sure gets rid of the microwave prayers when we move mountains and it takes awhile. You gotta at least see Colorado! 🙂
I’ve been in a season of mountains in my life for over four years now. The season God used to draw me to seek Him. I studied in depth scripture on fear. I have a deeper wisdom of the subject, more in my soul and still have difficulty translating that wisdom… I might have to wait until I’ve reached the other side of this mountain… but we all reach it one way or the other. My job is to honor God regardless the size of the mountain… After all, He made it…
So true about our job is to honor God regardless the size of the mountain. Well said Floyd.
All I could think of while reading your post brother was a song. I love singing this when I am facing a mountain. Good post.
GOD OF THE MOUNTAIN
Life is easy when you’re up on the mountain
And you’ve got peace of mind like you’re never known
But when things change and you’re down in the valley
Don’t lose faith for you’re never alone
CHORUS
For the God of the mountain, He’s still God in the valley
When things go wrong, oh He’ll make them right
And the God of the good times, He’s still God in the bad times
And the God of the day, He’s still God in the night
We talk of faith when we’re up on the mountain
But talk comes so easy when life’s at its best
But it’s down in the valleys of our trials and temptations
That’s where faith is really put to the test
Love the words to the song Betty. thanks.
Lots of Mountains. Lots of valleys. Some level ground.
The Lord is there. He will get us through. He will save us when we feel as though we could never make it.
Thanks.
Your life sounds like mine Steve.
I had never really meditated on the thought of the mountain becoming a plain before. That’s pretty insightful there – already got the mind spinning 🙂
Glad I got your mind spinning. 🙂
Great point. The same mountains that can make us stand in awe of our Creator can also make us shake in fear in different circumstances. We have to take those thoughts captive and stay trained on worshipping our God. If we think about it, there is always mountains, we simply get to choose our response: worship or fear of the unknown. I want to worship… Thanks Bill.
You make a great point also Jason. The same mountains that can make us stand in awe can also make us shake in fear. Totally agree!
So thankful I don’t have to climb the mountains of life alone.
You and me both TC.
Thank you, Pastor Bill, for that amazing verse about the mountain shall become as a plain. What an encouragement for us today, to wait and trust Him and watch what He will do. God bless you . .and hope you get back to CO sometime!
Thanks Deb for your kind words. Glad it encouraged you like it did me. Not sure if I will get back. 🙂
I was in Pueblo Colorado, and Socorro New Mexico this past year for some hazmat and bomb identification training, and the view of the mountains was impressive. Then I live in the Ozarks which is one of the most beautiful areas I’ve ever seen. There is something awe inspiring about mountains, and why such great analogies are made about them. I have certainly had some mountains I had to climb. I never would have made it without Him.
Went by Pueblo in ’99 going from Colorado Springs to Durango. Didn’t spend any time there. I have heard the Ozarks are beautiful. I’m with you on the mountains to climb and not making it without Him.
Currently my “mountains” have to do with my kids. Their choices/consequences. A lot of time their problems become my problem & can overtake me. I am still learnin to let go and give it all to God….he can scale any mountain I give Him. 🙂