Mountain Removal Takes Time

Mark 11:23, 24 says, ‘For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.’ Here, the Lord lets us know that we can speak to mountains – the mountain of lack, debt, theft, death or whoever is standing in our way - and both ‘it’ and ‘they’ have to move. But here’s the thing we need to remember - it’s going to take time for that big ole mountain to get out of the way. For instance, take a look at this mountain.

It’s ‘Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii. Everest stands 29,035 feet above sea level. Mauna Kea only stands 13,796 feet above sea level, but the mountain extends about 19,700 feet below the Pacific Ocean. Over half of it is submerged. That puts the total height of Mauna Kea at about 33,500 feet — nearly a mile taller than Everest1.’ Alan Arnette, a seasoned mountain climbing pro, says that mountain climbing training takes anywhere from eight months to a year; while the actual climb could take upward of nine weeks2. That’s almost two years of preparation and effort for a mere 6 mile walk! So, how long do you think it would take to dig up and remove Mt. Mauna Kea? Well, you first have to consider the time it’s going to take for the demolition and excavation crews to do the work. Next, you need to coordinate their schedules and get everybody on the same page so that the work can get done - everyday - until the mountain is completely uprooted. Keep in mind these are people with varied levels of intelligence, attitudes, and lifestyles and it’s your job to get everyone on work, on time, everyday in order to remove your mountain. Doesn’t seem as easy as it sounds does it?

That's because mountain removal takes time and can even take decades; which is why the Lord told us not to doubt. It’s because we don’t understand all that’s involved. We think we can just spit ‘Move mountain! Get out the way!’ and voila; the mountain is gone. But there are factors beyond our control that God has to orchestrate. Take for instance people. God knew that some of our mountains would require the help of others. And unfortunately, some folk aren’t as cooperative with God as you would think. Heck, you don’t always obey God. Now factor in the years it’s going to take to get those people back in His will plus calculate the time you’ve spent doing your own thing. Add all that up and you could get decades! All the while, you’re thinking you’re waiting on God to remove that mountain of lack, debt, loneliness, and sickness; when in reality, He’s waiting on you - to get your disobedient tail back into His will.

My Pastor, Keith Moore, of Faith Life Church always tells us, that ‘when you believe big, be prepared to stand long.’ Some of the things you're believing for are big, colossal and can even be considered mountainous. And as such, don't be discouraged or start doubting because years have passed. Mountain removal takes time. But never doubt that God is digging it up. Just make sure you’re doing what God told you to do in the meantime.

SOURCES:

1 - http://www.businessinsider.com/earths-tallest-mountain-is-hawaii-2015-6

1 - http://www.alanarnette.com/everest/everesttraining.php