“Early the next morning Jesus was returning to the city. He was hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree alongside the road, he approached it anticipating a breakfast of figs. When he got to the tree, there was nothing but fig leaves. He said, “No more figs from this tree—ever!” The fig tree withered on the spot, a dry stick. The disciples saw it happen. They rubbed their eyes, saying, “Did we really see this? A leafy tree one minute, a dry stick the next?”

But Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Yes—and if you embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you’ll tell, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God.””

Matthew 21:18-22 MSG

Jesus told the disciples the key to moving mountains was to embrace the kingdom life and not to doubt God. That would be the difference in minor feats and triumphing over huge obstacles.

What is your fig tree today? Some of us are beyond the fig tree and have a mountain to move. I have seen God do so many incredible things in my life, but yet I still waiver in fear and doubt at times, just like the disciples. The cool thing is Jesus knew where the disciples were at spiritually and He always helped them to push forward. He knows the same for us as well. That should give us all hope.

Another example is in Mark. A desperate father brings his son to Jesus. His son was being tormented by demons. That was a huge mountain that needed to be moved for this family. Notice the way the father responds to Jesus:

“He asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been going on?” “Ever since he was a little boy. Many times it pitches him into fire or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!”

Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!””

Mark 9:21-24 MSG

There is no “if’s” according to Jesus. God will come through for you. Believe it 100%. If you are need of a mountain moving experience, be honest and ask God to help you with your doubts as that father did. I’m still working on it myself.

“God’s silence is not equivalent to God’s absence. The divine glory was on the mountain with Moses every one of those six days before Moses heard anything. Time spent in worship as you wait on God is never wasted. But as you wait, obey the will of God that you already know. Waiting on God is an active pursuit, not a passive attitude.”

-Greater Devotional by Steven Furtick

I read this quote this morning during my quiet time before work. It makes perfect sense, even from my last blog post. We always want the immediate.

Every year we go to a small costal fishing community called Rockport in Texas. I look forward to it because fishing and the quietness of it is my happy place. A couple of years ago Josiah (oldest son) caught 54 fish one night! It was amazing and so much fun. I didn’t even get a chance to fish that night because they were biting his so much. Easily top ten memory of ours and he was so proud. Unfortunately now every time we go fishing he gets frustrated because after one hour and no bites…he remembers what it was like reeling in 54. He would drop the line in the water from the pier and immediately get a fish to reel in.

How often are we like that with God? Sometimes we are in the hot dry desert looking, waiting, and even fixating on the silence. Is God ignoring me? Am I wrong asking? We want an answer now. Not later today, this week, this month, or even this year.

It’s important that we focus on our relationship with God and not the answer. He isn’t Santa Claus. And sometimes the silence is the answer. That was painful to write and even harder to live out. If you are in the desert now, know the oasis is coming if you continue to trust and have a conversation with God.