"Don't stop praying till the mountain has moved." -John Piper
Mountains have played a large part in the backdrop of my life. In Washington it was the Cascades, the Olympics, and Mt.Rainier. In Colorado it was the Rockies, 14ers, and Pike's Peak. I have been to the tops of a lot of them. Seen the world from the ground at 14 thousand feet in the air. I can't image what it would take to move a mountain of that size. Or even for that matter a smaller one.
"He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. 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.'" -Matthew 17:20 (NIV)
That has been the goal of this blog all along. To bring you all along side what I am going through and asking for your help moving this mountain in my life. The verse doesn't say however "with the combined and collective faith as small as a mustard seed." No, it says "if you". I'm not saying that your prayers for my life aren't heard, aren't useful, aren't welcome, what I am saying is that when it comes down to Faith that it is an individual thing. You can't have faith for someone else. I thank all of you for your continued praying for the mountain I would like to move from my life. (Though, you know what? There's nothing like the view from a top of a mountain...) I pray God will use your faithfulness in praying for me in your life. And as Piper says up there, lets keep praying until the mountain has moved.
Thank you again for your continued prayers. Lisa and I need strength and wisdom every day.
~B.
[ Prayer request? ]
Ben - after going through my very short stint with cancer, nothing like what you've gone through, this is very touching and to the point. You are an inspiration to me and I so love your openness about your battle. I know for me that I don't put everything out there, so I'm sure you and Lisa also keep some of your "bumps in the road" private. Keep fighting the battle, Ben - you both are in my prayers daily. Much love, Holly Campbell
ReplyDeleteThis week I was touched by John 11 and the story of Lazarus. When chapter 11 opens, it's clear that Martha, Mary and Lazarus are very close friends of the Lord. When they send word that L. is sick, their anticipation is that Jesus will drop what He is doing and come and heal him(or maybe just heal him from a distance--it'd happened before). Jesus tells his disciples that the purpose of L.'s sickness is the glory of God and that He would be gloried by it. What struck me is verse 5, "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus." So, Jesus allows some of His closest friends to endure grueling pain for His glory. He trusted His closest friends to remain true to Him in spite of the hurt they were going to feel. What was overwhelming to me was the privilege we have been given to be allowed to go through what we are going through. Jesus knows we will stay true to Him. It's the kind of honor that makes me fall on my face, feeling very unworthy.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Mom