Mountains

One practice I am doing during my 2020 Year of Courage and Overcoming, is studying a word a week. (See my post titled Gifts.) Words carry so much power and purpose within them. I've found that by studying them, I either engage in a new understanding, find a deeper appreciation, or am empowered in a new way. I could write a list of the words I've studied so far this year, and to you they may just look like random words without much connection. But for me, each week, my word of the week leads me to the next one; and after a week of seeking that word, reading it and learning from it, it grows in depth of meaning.

A few weeks ago, I chose to study mountain. If you're wondering where or how do I study these words, it's primarily in the Word of God. But as is His nature, God wants to reveal Himself to us through everything in the world and in our lives, and so I often find my words pop up in articles I read, songs I hear, or in conversation with others throughout that week. In the past, I've chosen a word-a-month, which anchored me in intentional living through monthly themes and goals, and transformed my year as a whole. By seeking out a new word weekly, it has become another beautiful way to stay intentional with what I say and how I listen, both to the Divine and to others. 

One thing I'll admit I haven't done with my words, as often as I would like, is researching them in other languages, particularly in the original languages of the Bible: Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. I don't always do in-depth studies on their root, nor do I look up translations typically other than what comes through New Oxford American Dictionary, Google, or my Bible's concordance. But when we talk about "Word Studies" in the sense of studying Scriptures, this is what I do that contributes the most life and meaning for me. It's through this studying and interaction with the Spirit of God that I grow and change. In my most recent post about storms, the inspiration came from studying the word stir. If you also enjoy playing with words, meaning or origins of words, or studying the Living Word, give it a try!

So here is a piece of my newfound insight about mountains. 

How often do we think of "mountains" as lofty goals, something in our life that brings fear, intimidation or trepidation? Mountains can represent our biggest dreams in life, or a circumstance that has caused us a setback. Sometimes the "mountains" we refer to symbolically represent times of waiting and times of unknown, times of difficulty or hardships. If this resonates with you, I ask for you to reconsider if the use of mountains in our speech/thought must always refer to things that are horrible, intimidating, fearsome, or that render us helpless as we try to approach them. Do they have to represent our enemy, opposition to forward movement? Jesus says that with faith, we can move mountains! What does that mean? Perhaps mountains are meant for something good. Mountains can stir up our faith!

I grew up in a typically flat, Midwest American city in Ohio. Although we did have little hills covered in snow that we could sled down in the Winter, our idea of the winter sports we could participate in were sledding and building snowmen and igloos. The concept of snow skiing and snowboarding weren't really options unless you traveled outside the city (and state, for that matter). But if you live near a mountain, your world is affected by them in a totally different way. When I first lived in a city with mountains in Southern France, I decided I always wanted to live near mountains! Without really knowing too much about the location before moving to Southern California, I realized my new home that was surrounded by both mountains and ocean was a God-gift and miracle to me. When I see mountains of landscape, they remind me that His righteousness is Higher than the mountains (Psalm 36:6). There is always more beauty, protection and holiness to seek out within His character and His love. 

Not only by studying mountain, but also living in a place with mountains, helped me unpack some of the mystery and beauty of the word. I have found that "The Mountain" is a place of movement. Mountains are places of interaction with the Living God. Mountains are filled with wonder, glory, revelation, provision, Presence and fellowship with God, instruction, and most of all, intimacy. Why did God choose a mountain in which to deliver to His people the 10 Commandments? (Exodus 24:12) Why did Jesus take His three best friends up a mountain to reveal His true nature, and also where they encountered Moses and Elijah there with Him? (One example found in Mark 9:2-4.) Do you ever wonder why the Lord-made-flesh would climb a mountain almost daily as a way to find secluded places to pray? (Examples: Matthew 14:23, Luke 6:12, John 6:15) What was so significant about the mountain? Why didn't He choose a getaway with Heavenly Father in His local cafe, in a park, by a favorite tree, in the Temple, or simply wherever was "home" for Him at that time?

If your mountain is intimidating, I challenge you to climb. Set foot on the journey, moving from the Threshold into the Household of the LORD. Find His peace amidst whatever seems to be the biggest trial or most tempting fear. God is always with you, especially in the climb! Encounter His love and tenderness toward you, just as His Son did whenever He climbed the mountain. You may find many pleasant surprises, as I do, along the way up.