Pickaxes and Mountains

Jesse Birkey's picture

If you say to this mountain, be moved, it will be moved… -Mark 11:23 my paraphrase

 

It was a quiet morning and I was spending some with the Lord.  All of a sudden he showed me a picture of a mountain. I was standing in front of this mountain holding a pickaxe.  As I spun the axe in my hands I took note of how strong it was.  The mountain waited.  It looked hard and impenetrable but I was sure I could do some damage.

 

As I whirled the tool over my head I heard the Lord begin to explain. 

 

Many think the way to know me is by stepping up and swinging with all of their strength.  They view me as this mountain, barring entry to all but those who are strong enough to break through the stone.  But I said, ask and you shall receive.  Knock and the door will be open to you. 

 

I let the axe fall.

 

I think we tend to overcomplicate many things related to the kingdom of God.  We have our processes and formulas letting us know how many steps it’s going to take to get delivered, healed, and more.  I’m not saying there aren’t keys to learn I’m just saying they might be much simpler than we’ve made them.  And much more diverse and unique to circumstances.

 

Jesus said we must become like children in order to experience the kingdom (Matt. 18).  That statement is incredibly profound and yet so simple.  It’s starting over, giving up some of the things we’ve come to hold as dogma and opening up to a better way.  It means learning to hear the voice of Father and then making the choice to follow in his footsteps.  A much simpler way. 

 

Ask and you will receive.  Knock and the door will be opened.  Become like a child.

 

Understanding kingdom principles is within the grasp of every single person on earth.  It’s not just for the deep thinkers, theologians, and scholars.  In 1st Cor. chapter 1, Paul quotes Isaiah when he says that God will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the intelligence of the intelligent. 

 

Many of us have used the line, who can understand the ways of God, in one way or another when something happens we can’t explain.  But I think God wants to be understood by all.  I think he cringes when we say that because his invitation for intimacy is an invitation to know him.  We just have to ask.  Maybe knock.  Is there a theme here?

 

What’s the pickaxe you’re holding?  It is your brain, ministry, formulas, money, etc.?  Or maybe it’s something else.  Whatever it is let’s ask and knock and let the axe fall by the wayside.  We can know him.  And we don’t have to strive for it.

 

Blessings,

 

Jesse and Kara Birkey

 

www.jessebirkey.com

jbirkey@jessebirkey.com

twitter.com/JesseBirkey

http://www.facebook.com/jesse.birkey

www.goodreads.com/jessebirkey

http://www.amazon.com/author/jessebirkey   

 

 

 

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