Partner, Do You Believe We Can Do This? Yes, Partner, I Believe We Can Do This.

Day 137 of Photo Inspirations -- Partner, Do You Believe We Can Do This?  Yes, Partner, I Believe We Can Do This!
Those are words the dad and son exchanged in the movie, "Little Boy" that our Life Group attended last night.   That little boy's daddy was teaching him, early on, that if you believe, anything is possible.   It was a powerful and moving film about a little boy who is willing to do whatever it takes to bring his dad home from World War II alive. Not long after his father leaves for war, Pepper, the little boy, hears the Bible verse, "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" (Matthew 17:20).  Then he becomes determined to get enough faith to bring his father home.

While his dad is away, Father Oliver, a good, wise and humble priest, became the little boy's confidant and he introduced a to-do list to Pepper, to get him started on his road of faith.  The "to do" list was:  Feed the hungry; Shelter the homeless; Visit those in prison; Clothe the naked; Visit the sick; Bury the dead.  We've heard those words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 25:35 and it sure made practical sense in this movie.  Oftentimes we think the way to obtain more faith is through praying more.  That "to do" list is OUR "to do" list as well.  That "To Do" List puts our faith to action.

The audacious faith of this little boy changed his world.  Oh, that our audacious faith would change our world, too!  People of faith, who have true, honest, child-like faith, make the people around them better, and it makes them better, too.  Childlike faith that moves mountains is faith that moves mountains in other people's lives, as well as their own.  There are no limits to what God can do when we sincerely believe "NOTHING is impossible with God".

Got Mountains?

Seattle is one of my favorite places to visit -- of course, the main reason is because my kids live there, but, coming from the plains, I have a great appreciation for the massive, magnificent Northwest mountains – the Cascades, Mt. Rainier, Glacier Peak, and so many more. I’ve enjoyed hiking on them, fishing under them, driving through them, tubing and skiing down them. These amazing mountains were created by our Master Creator for a purpose, much of which is sheer enjoyment for His kids.

But, what about the mountains in our lives – those vast, enormous obstacles and circumstances that seem beyond overwhelming, that seem like a dead end to any progress forward? Our mountains might even be people who represent discomfort, annoyance, harassment, bitterness, and pain in our lives. We think that if only these mountains were removed, our lives might be more peaceful, comfortable, and a lot easier to be holy. And, we know Matthew 17:20 "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." But these “mountains” might just be the very perfect plan of our Creator (the same One, who created the majestic mountain ranges) to help us become and achieve what He created us to be and do. Everything we encounter in our lives are part of the undescribable love He has for us -- part of His Master plan.

There must be mountains to appreciate the valleys. And perhaps, God, in all His wisdom, is wanting us to scale those mountains. He is wanting us to hike up those mountains, for a “mountain-top experience” where we are refreshed, restored, nourished, and where we receive divine revelation. His revelation is always intended to grow our faith, strengthen our resolve, and equip us to take on any mountain that may be standing in our way.

As I was writing this message, in my head was this song -- I think it perfectly describes God's unfailing love song to us. I know it's a secular love song -- but, after all, God IS Love and He is a mountain-moving God.

"There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep ME from getting to you.

If you need ME, call me
No matter where you are
No matter how far
Just call MY name
I'll be there in a hurry
You don't have to worry

Remember the day
I set you free
I told you
You could always count on me
From that day on I made a vow
I'll be there when you want ME
Some way, some how

There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep ME from getting to you.