moving mountains.

My Savior, He can move the mountains;
My God is mighty to save.


From the very first time I heard this song, I liked it. It struck a chord in me lyrically, musically, and emotionally. Today, though, I perceived it differently than I had previously, and it has more meaning to me than it ever did before.

Christians often talk about God's strength. God is so strong that He can move mountains. We can move mountains too, if we even have "faith as small as a mustard seed" (Matthew 17:20). If you've spent much time at all in church, you've likely heard allusions to this. So often, though, we stop our exploration of this topic once we've accepted the fact that God has the strength to move mountains.

But what happens once God has moved the mountains?

What's the point in moving mountains if they're fine where they are? God is moving mountains for a reason.

A common metaphor used in Christian circles is that of valleys. When people experience rough times, they are often said to be in a valley.

Rather than pulling us up out of our low points, God sometimes chooses to simply move the mountains out of the way. Without mountains, there cannot be a valley. Even if we remain in a low point, the shadows cast by the mountains are removed. When the shadows are gone, the light is evident.

Shine the light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King.

stop this train.

I wanna get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in,
I know I can, but honestly,
Won't someone stop this train?


Life keeps going. I'm not at all prepared to face another day. More often than not, I'm scared to death of the next hour, the next minute. So many things are changing. I have no sense of home anymore.

Before very long at all, I'll be entirely responsible for myself. For getting a job. Paying bills. Finding housing. Cooking.

I can make my life whatever I want it to be. I get to start it for myself and make it anything I choose.

I'm not strong enough to do this. Everything is so overwhelming. I'm unprepared to be an adult. I'm irresponsible. I run out of money a few days before my next paycheck. I can't make slice and bake cookies without burning them. I bounce checks. I wear jeans to church. Sometimes I just need to be held.

How am I supposed to be in charge of everything in my life when I don't even have control of ...well, anything?

I can't even give myself my own shots.

Every little thing is out of control. I have no semblance of order in any area of my life. That terrifies me. I can't be a grownup.



So scared of getting older, I'm only good at being young.
--John Mayer