“He replied, ‘...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 is impossible for you.’” Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

Mountains have been seen throughout generations as a barrier, a trial. Snow capped giants made of jagged cliffs and sharp rock, the things that countries point to and say, “This is our border.” The largest tactile obstacle on Earth, that is what God says we will be able to move with faith.

But that is the point, is it not? With faith. We can’t do it on our own. We can’t shove our  backs against the mountain side and scooch Everest out of our path. No, we are too weak. By ourselves we would be forced to climb until our legs gave out and our lips froze. But we are not alone – not if we have faith. 

With God by our side we can scale our biggest obstacles, cross barriers and climb the cliffs of struggle without fear of falling. We can step out onto icy paths knowing that He will be there to catch us. At times we will falter in the face of fear and doubt, God never said any of this was easy, but He did say that it was possible to get through.

Though the mountains of trial seem insurmountable, faith gives us the strength to shove through and come out victorious. Victorious with God. Sanding tall, staring evil in the eye and smiling because we are backed by the strongest being in the world. 

So, don’t be afraid to step up when you are called. Instead of doubting yourself, saying that you are not good enough, not talented enough, not tough enough, trust that God knows all your shortcomings even more than you do. Despite all of them, nothing is impossible. God is standing with you, giving you the strength you don’t have on your own. Through Him you can move mountains.

Janelle Clouse (Junior - Columbia Adventist Academy)