Mountain Movers

 The following is a little exhortation I gave at a TRIPLE baby shower I just hosted for three mamas of three beautiful little boys just born to us at Providence. 

So I just wanted to say a few words about the important moment we are in right now. There’s an old wives tale that says that more boys than girls will be born when a nation is on the verge of war. It seems that this is the case right now, at least in our little church family. And, being a persistent optimist, as much as I don’t want to notice how close our nation is to a massive clash of ideologies that will result in a war, it does feel eminent. But even if the Lord preserves us from a physical battle, there is no way to hide from the truth that we are in a massive spiritual and cultural battle right now, and it is more important now than ever to raise up men who will take the charge and lead their families in paths of fruitful and faithful righteousness. 

Our enemies are rising up on all sides, like dark, towering mountains, and it can seem hopeless. But we know that He will not leave us in a dark valley, but will meet us and walk with us. 

More than that, in Matthew 17 Jesus tells his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

When we look around us at the crumbling culture, it can sometimes feel like we can’t do anything, especially when we’re stuck in our homes with our little people, busy with the mundane jobs of everyday life. But we have to keep this in perspective. Our faith is doing big things as we raise these children. Cassie, Kristi, and Erika, you have been given little men who will grow into mountain movers. This means that your faith as you bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, WILL MOVE MOUNTAINS.

So I want to issue this charge to you as you go out and bring up these sons of the faith: Do not lose heart! Persevere, because this work you are doing with these tiny babies is momentous. These boys are little mustard seeds right now, but they will move mountains! Galatians 6:9, which I’m sure you all know, reminds you to not grow weary of doing good, for in due season you will reap, if you do not give up. So do not give up! Move mountains with those dirty diapers, those messy floors, those stained shirts and sticky fingers. Move mountains with those sinful little hearts that need discipline and training and guidance and forgiveness. Move mountains by giving them more time and attention and energy than you feel capable of giving. God has given you this work to do, and so we can trust that He will equip you to do it! And may the Lord bless you in that good work!

And then we sang The Son of God Goes forth to War, and it was glorious.

(Gorgeous cakes by the incredible Megan Okimoto!)