The Day The Mountain Moved
“For we live by believing and not by seeing.”
2 Corinthians 5:7
It was a wonderful change of scenery to spend a few days with friends in Blue Ridge, Georgia. It’s a trip my husband and I usually take in October to view the changing leaf color and purchase delicious, sweet apples. I never loose the awe of that first spot where you begin to see mountains that are higher than hills.
The mountains of North Georgia always stir the memory of my first trip to Vancouver, BC. I flew into Vancouver where my husband was on a work contract. As we drove from the airport to the hotel, I was amazed at the huge towering mountains. These made the mountains of Georgia look like little bumps in the road. I repeatedly asked, “Is that a mountain or a cloud?” They peered so high into the sky that I literally could only imagine that they had to be clouds. He would smile and answer, “It’s a mountain!”
After arriving at our hotel room, Ed drew the curtain to show me the massive mountains that would be my daily view. The majestic view was absolutely spectacular! I stared in wonder as I pressed my hand against the window as if I could touch it. God came very near, reminding me of His majesty, glory and power. I remember thinking, “If His creation is this majestic, what must He be like?
As I went to bed that night, I anticipated sitting at the desk in front of that window, meeting with God for my morning quiet time. When I awoke that first morning, I tiptoed into the den to draw the curtain and view the mystery of the glorious mountains. I gasped, as I stood in front of the window in pure shock.
There was no mountain. The mountain of yesterday was totally gone! Removed! It was as if someone had stolen the mountain while I was sleeping. I strained my sleepy eyes, but there was not a trace of the mountain. I stepped back into the bedroom to see if I was standing in front of the wrong window. I had heard of jetlag, but this was strange. How could it be? Was I dreaming?
I made a pot of coffee and kept running back and forth to the window. As the sun rose higher into the sky, the clouds thinned and soon I could see a slight trace of the mountain. At least I wasn’t crazy.
Tears welled up into my eyes as I had a spiritual encounter with Almighty God. I knew that the experience felt all too familiar. There had been many times in my life that God felt so close and I clearly saw and experienced Him as enormous, powerful and able to do anything. But suddenly, there would be a monumental event where it seemed that He had totally disappeared.
Have you ever been there?
You know, where yesterday your faith was strong and you could clearly see God’s hand, but as quick as a night’s sleep something suddenly changed. You cry from deep within, “Where are you God? I can’t see you. I can’t find you.”
That morning in Vancouver will forever be etched in my memory. It was a marker moment in my Christian life. I was certain that the mountain was still there and only appeared to be removed. Of course it was impossible that it had been snatched while I slept. I am still amazed that the cloud covering could be so heavy, that it totally covered the enormous mountain, making it disappear to my eye.
That’s right! Disappear to my eye.
“We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
My faith in God and His character is the same.
The cloud covering can be dark and heavy, but He is still there.
He is not defined by what I see, feel or experience. He is God. He is unchangeable. I like the way the Amplified Bible says it:
"Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, [a]the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Hebrews 11:1
In these last days that we are now living, we must live by greater faith not by sight. We must call to mind all that we know to be true about God. I can’t focus on where I do not see Him working and moving, but focus on the truth of who He is.
When it looks like God is nowhere around…
When it looks like He is sleeping…
When it feels like He is not present, not caring, not engaged….
When it looks like He disappeared…
By faith, I believe that He is who He says He is and He does what He says He will do.
If I will stand in faith and stare straight at Him, soon there will be a trace of His presence that reminds me He is a great and mighty God.
The world around us is rapidly changing, but be encouraged today that no matter the view outside your window, God has not moved. He is still Sovereign. He is still in control. He is unchangeable and you can still trust in Him with all your heart.