Faith

This song is from the movie, Sing. It was over 12 million views on YouTube. 10 million of them have come from my two kids.

I’m reading a book right now titled, The Magic of Thinking Big, by David Schwartz. It was originally published in the 60’s I think, so some of the lingo used is interesting. The message, however, is timeless and truthful. Most of all, it stresses the importance of the belief that we have in ourselves, and the power that carries as we write our story.

One example includes:

“Study the fellow who is shuffling down there in mediocrity. He believes he is worth little, so he receives little. He believes he can’t do big things, so he doesn’t. He believes he is unimportant, so everything he does has an unimportant mark.”

“The person who feels he isn’t important, isn’t”

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. Matthew 21:21

As Schwartz says,

“Some people say, ‘It’s nonsense to think you can make a mountain move away just by saying, ‘Mountain, move away.’ It’s simply impossible.’

People who think this way have belief confused with wishful thinking. And true enough, you can’t wish away a mountain. But you can move a mountain with belief.”

True enough, we often face the proverbial mountains blocking our path as we go along our journey. Sometimes it’s an entire range that we must move, or go over, in order to get to where we’d like to go. Sometimes, as I’ve written before, we make our own mountains, and then complain about how difficult life is.

When we arrive at the base of these mountains, and take a look, we have an important choice to make. We can tuck tail and go home, look for another path that is a little less challenging, and perhaps, succumb to the belief that we just weren’t meant for that particular path.

Or, we can choose to believe that this mountain can be moved. Maybe this time, it’s a prayer that does the trick. I can’t pretend to know how God works, I just know that he does. Kind of like the internet. Maybe we need to trust that he will take care of our needs, and hear even the desires of our heart, and have faith that he has the power to work in our lives, despite the odds that we see stacked against us.

Other times, we have to move the mountain ourselves. In my humble opinion, the belief then, comes in the gifts that we have been blessed with. I’m starting to think that when we doubt ourselves, when we doubt that who we are is enough, when we doubt our gifts, we are doubting our Creator. There is a great quote that I’ve shared before that says, Work like it depends on you, and pray like it depends on God.

I’ve shared this scripture before from 1 Samuel 14. Jonathan and his armor bearer decided to attack a large army.

1 Samuel 14:6 says, “Come let us go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.

As I’ve said before, I’m no Biblical scholar, but I think it’s interesting that the scripture did not say:

“Jonathan and his armor bearer looked at the army before them, and decided that there was nothing they could do. So they laid down and took a nap. Before they dozed off to sleep, Jonathan said, ‘As we rest, perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf.’

We need to have faith in the Lord, and we need to believe in the gifts he has blessed us with.

We need to have more faith in the Lord, and more belief in the gifts he has blessed us with.

As Schwartz says, “The, ‘Okay I’ll give it a try but I don’t think it will work” attitude produces failures”

I’ll pray for this mountain to move, but I don’t really think God is going to do that.

I’m tired.

I tried it once before, and it didn’t work, why would this time be any different.

It’s not fair, that guy has everything I want, and he’s a jerk.

I’m too old.

I’m too young.

Excuses are everywhere, we don’t really even have to look for them. The people who are successful listen to these excuses much less. They have less time. I think they are too busy getting after it to stop and worry about all of the excuses.

“The fellow who has gone nowhere and has no (real) plans for getting anywhere always has a bookful of reasons to explain why. Persons with mediocre accomplishments are quick to explain why they haven’t, why they don’t, why they can’t, and why they aren’t. Study the lives of successful people and you’ll discover this: all the excuses made by the mediocre fellow could be but aren’t made by the successful person.”

“Roosevelt could have hidden behind his lifeless legs; Truman could have used “no college education”; Kennedy could have said, “I’m too young to be president”; Johnson and Eisenhower could have ducked behind their heart attacks.” -Schwartz

My wife and I went to Hawaii for our 10th wedding anniversary a few years back, and one of the highlights of our trip was going to this waterfall.

Pictures don’t really do it justice. But it was beautiful. We swam in that pool, and went right up under the waterfall. It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever experienced.

But there was a significant hike to get there, over some pretty challenging terrain. There were fast moving waters to cross over, mountains to climb, and slippery rocks to walk on. We came to this river, where you had to walk over some wet rocks, with the water running over them. There was a family there, sitting by the river, eating their lunch, and telling everyone who came by that they had seen a lady turn her ankle earlier, that they weren’t going any further, and that, “It just isn’t worth it”. We were probably 10 minutes from the waterfall. They had come all that way to stop just before they got to the main event.

I’m sorry the lady turned her ankle, really. However, those people robbed themselves of an opportunity to experience the waterfall. Instead, they ate their PB&J and Pringles in front of a slow moving stream. Jennifer and I got to swim in the ice cold water and look up at the beauty and wonder of an amazing Hawaiian waterfall, that for many, is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Except for Mr. and Mrs. “It just isn’t worth it”.

It totally was. And they missed it.

What’s your excuse?

Be careful, because sometimes our excuses, or The Resistance as Steven Pressfield calls it, hides under the guise of “reality”. The yeahbuts are alive and well, and sneaky little beasts.

“Those obstacles are real, but so is your life.” — Bob Goff

Be honest, what are yours?

I’ve got some. They usually apply themselves at different times, but sometimes they come all at once.

I’m not ready. Lack of confidence. Too risky. Not enough time.

That requires someone who is _______, and I’m not __________.

The mountains aren’t going anywhere my friend. So we have to choose, and make no mistake about it, we get to choose.

Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Perhaps He already has…

Much Love,

Bryan

Originally published at efournine.com on August 15, 2017.