From Our Founder......

J. Harold Smith's
Smith Saying

 

How to Move a Mountain

        Jesus said, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matthew 17:20
        Many of us misread that verse.  We think of a grain of mustard seed as a little thing, and conclude that Jesus was saying if we have only a little faith we can do impossible things.  A grain of sand is also little, but Jesus did not say our faith should be as a grain of sand.  The difference is that a grain of sand is a dead, fixed thing; while a grain of mustard seed is a living thing.  It has the capacity for growth and development.
        What Jesus was saying is that if we will take the faith we have, even though it seems small and insignificant, and begin to use it, we will accomplish things that before seemed impossible.
        It does not mean you will suddenly accomplish everything overnight.  The mustard seed does not grow that way.  Even though the seed is buried in the ground, it realizes there is sunshine above, and it begins to push up.  As it grows, it draws food and warmth from the earth.
        The mustard seed is not discouraged because it is little.  Instead, it pictures itself as a large plant and is never satisfied until it reaches its full maturity.
        Jesus is telling you that, instead of worrying about how little you have or how meager your opportunities are, if you will take what you have and begin to use it, drawing on every possible resource, never quitting, you will grow bigger than the mountain of any problem in your life.
        There are mountains of difficulties in our way.  In some instances, it is possible to remove the difficulties.  In other instances, it is possible to grow bigger spiritually to the point that you can overcome the difficulty.
        Instead of growing, some people become dominating and abusive.  They are the ones who complain the loudest, who are the most prejudiced, and who are the hardest to get along with.  They blow themselves up like toy balloons, and become self-centered.
        If you would develop growing faith, you must have a purpose.  Then you must consider the possibilities of action and decide on the one that seem best.
        Then your faith goes to work.  Instead of concentrating on the difficulties in your path, you concentrate on your own abilities and strengths.  You begin using all you have, keeping in mind, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God," (Luke 18:27)  and the mountains that have been blocking your way will be removed.  (JHS/YGN/August 1982)
 

                
 
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