It was a mountain.

Formidable, unyielding, and overwhelming in scope.

My precious friend was at the end of their college semester recently and staring their third and final test in the face.

Having not done very well on the first two, this final exam was not only the lynchpin to passing the semester but it also held the key to graduation.

The final exam had 75 questions. My friend knew they could not miss more than seven.

They called and asked me to pray.

It felt like a mountain.

The Holy Spirit brought to my mind the promise from Matthew 17:20 where Jesus reminded His disciples, “…if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (CSB)

Jesus is so clear here, isn’t He?

He doesn’t instruct us to negotiate or plead with the mountain.

He doesn’t say we should beg or politely ask the mountain to move.

He instructs us to tell the mountain to move – with nothing more than a teensy bit of faith.

Might it feel useless? Possibly. Could it feel completely ineffective? More than likely. But none of that changes His word or His promise to us if we will believe it.

I stopped and prayed on behalf of my young friend.

Passing this exam meant so much more than just passing the semester. It meant graduating with a good degree. It meant doors opening to a better career with better pay. It meant more promising opportunities for their future.

The mountain needed to move.

A few hours went by before I received a phone call from my friend.

“Guess what?” they said.

“What?” I responded.

“I passed!” they exclaimed with joy.

Just the tiniest bit of faith is all it takes to move any mountain.

No negotiation or pleading is necessary. Just total surrender to a God who is a professional mountain-mover.

Until next time, Grace and Glory!