Helplessness

Week 18 Saturday – Hab 1:12-2:4; Psalm 9A: 8-13; Matthew 17:14-20

Mountains

I cannot move them. But perhaps that is just as well.

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 for you. (Matthew 17:20)

Jesus’s words about mustard seeds and mountains can feel a bit daunting, can’t they? We look at the huge mountains in our lives – illness, worry, broken relationships – and our faith feels utterly tiny in comparison.

But perhaps we misunderstand. This isn’t a challenge to become spiritual giants who can rearrange the world to our liking. Imagine the chaos if we all had that power! In our pride, we would surely get in the way of God’s perfect plan.

The true “mountain” we’re asked to move is often the one in our own hearts: the mountain of our own will, our pride, and our fear that stands in the way of God’s.

Faith like a mustard seed isn’t about having the power to command. It’s about having just enough trust to surrender. It’s the quiet confidence to pray, “Lord, I don’t understand, but I trust you. Your will be done.” With that tiny seed of faith, we don’t command the mountain; we trust the One who made it.