The Mountain

Boldly charging the visions God places on our hearts.

By Al Perrotta Published on June 22, 2017

It’s been over a month, but I can’t get out of my head the story James Robison told at Liberty University about the school’s founder Dr. Jerry Falwell. 

Liberty sprawls across what is called “The Mountain.” James recalled being on that mountain with Dr. Falwell when there was nothing up there but a few old buildings, a dirt road and lots of trees. But Dr. Falwell had been given a vision for his small Liberty Baptist school in Lynchburg, Va. He saw what that hill could be. “I want this mountain,” he said. Together, they prayed on the mountain and over the vision. 

In May, James returned to that mountain to witness 7,000 lights for Christ graduate from what has become not only America’s largest Christian university, but one of the top five biggest universities in the country. And it was hosting the President of the United States to boot. 

“I Want This Mountain”

In between a God-given vision and a God-blessed reality sits a determination to make it happen and faith in the One who will make it happen.

Jesus said in Matthew, “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20) You “will” say. Not even you “could” say. You will speak and act and walk with authority and in the power of the Living God. Dr. Falwell didn’t say, “Golly, wouldn’t it be nice to have this mountain? That sure would be swell.” No. It was “I want this mountain.” Or to put another way, “I am taking this mountain in the name of, and for the glory of, Jesus!”

Dr. Falwell’s faith didn’t move a mountain. It plopped a world-class university right down on top of it.

The version in Mark of Jesus’ teaching, adds a couple more dimensions: “Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you.” (Mark 11:23)

“It will be done for you” reminds us that it’s not by our power that the mountains move and we shake the world. Even the shovel that moved the first bit of dirt at Liberty belonged to Him. The arms that lifted the shovel were given life by Him. The very dirt being displaced? His. That’s humbling. But it’s also drop-on-our-knees inspiring. The Creator of the Universe will act on our behalf. It’s also fun to note what happens if you do throw a mountain into the sea. It makes a big splash.

Jerry Falwell and James Robison are two whose service has made a big splash.

Our Own Splash

“But,” I can hear some of you say, “I am not Jerry Falwell. I’m not James Robison. I’m just — ”

Stop right there. No one made in the image of God is a “just.” “Just” is a four-letter word. And who was Jesus talking to? His disciples. The church’s first small group. He’s talking to you. He’s talking to the same you He promised would do “greater things than this.”

Has God shown you a mountain He wants moved, conquered or improved? Does He care about your title, name recognition or number of Facebook followers? All He wants is that faith the size of a mustard seed and a sincere belief in your heart.

I get how hard that simple idea is to grasp. On our refrigerator is Deuteronomy 2:3: “You have circled the mountain long enough; NOW it’s time to move north.” (NASB) I spent so much time in my life circling the vision God had given me that my feet carved out a mote. In another translation, it says you have been “skirting this hill country.” (NRSV) You’re not Jonah running away from the vision, you’re not rejecting the vision. You still have your eye on it, but you are not facing it squarely and taking it on.

It’s bad enough being a world-class procrastinator in the little things of life. (GUILTY!) But to be a procrastinator in the eternal things of God? We’re told “without a vision the people perish.” Well, without people the vision perishes, as does all the fruit that carrying out the vision would bring forth.

Our days of skirting and circling must end. We must say “I want this mountain!” The good news is we serve a God who promises to provide the power and tools to take the mountain. Who casts out fear. Who casts out doubt. Who promises to walk with us each step of the way. Who vows that if we truly believe in our heart “it will be done” for us.

Let’s go now. Our mountain — our victory for the Kingdom — awaits. 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Like the article? Share it with your friends! And use our social media pages to join or start the conversation! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, MeWe and Gab.

Inspiration
The Scarcity Mindset
Robert Morris
More from The Stream
Connect with Us