in other words

i don't like it much when blogger friends post lyrics or poems or other people's words; i read their blogs because i like to read their words, not someone else's.

the problem is that there are just so many other people who say it so well. so, if you're like me, then i apologize. but i'm loving these nickel creek lyrics today:

We must climb a great high mountain
To reach God's gracious kingdom
In His words you'll find the strength
If you will just believe them

Well, the way is filled with pitfalls
And sometimes we may falter
You can have His grace, my friend
On your knees down at the altar

You don't have to move that mountain
Just help me Lord to climb it
You don't have to move that stumblin' block
Just show me the way around it

God can move mountains, sure. in fact, He tells us that we can, even: "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).

the thing is that He also made the mountains. He made that fig tree that Jesus cursed. He allows us our stumbling blocks. does He give them to us? maybe. does He take them away? sometimes. does He allow them, even though He hates them as they cause us to stumble, even though they're hard to climb, hard to get around, hard to throw down? of course. in His infinite wisdom, He does.

so if i trust in His infinite wisdom, then i will trust in His ability to move the mountains or encourage me over them or coax me around them.

on my knees down at the altar. Lord, bring me to my knees.

(if you haven't heard it, listen to the song, too: "you don't have to move that mountain." even better listening.)