Over Every Mountain
“Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley.” So writes the poet,
author, and teacher Mr. Theodore Roethke. How fitting and so very appropriate that our Lord should declare, “I
am the way, the truth, and the life.” Isn’t that just like Him? Jesus always gives more…is more than we ask for.
We ask Him to show us the way, and He says, “That’s me. I am the way…the going. But I am also the truth…
the knowing. But then, I also am the life…the living.
When you must cross over yonder mountain, I will show you the way. Should the path take you through
the valley of the shadow, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid of anything, for I will be with you…always.
One time Jesus said to his friends… (and to us), “I am going to prepare a place for you, but I will come
again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And where I go, ye know, and the
way ye know.” But one of His friends named Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going;
and how can we know the way?”
That’s when Jesus opened up and spoke with revelation of who He was…is, adding, “No man cometh
unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from here on ye
know him, and have seen him.”
Philip, one of Thomas’ friends, said to him, “Lord, shew us the Father, and it will put an end to our
questioning about this matter.” To which Jesus responded, “Have I been such a long time with you, and yet you
haven’t known me, Philip? He that has seen me has seen the Father; so how can you say then, ‘Shew us the
Father?’”
My life, and no doubt yours, has had its own range of daunting mountain peaks stretched across the
horizon. They are known by their names. There’s Mt. Incapable, and there is Mt. Regret. Over there is Mt. Fear
and tucked somewhat behind but rising taller is Mt. Sickness, and that one there is…what is it…Oh, Mt. Broke!
Now, I need to do some detailed planning as to how I’m to cross over that range of formidable
mountains. Let’s see…What was it that the poet said? What was his name? Theodore something…Roethke.
That’s it. He said, “Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley.” But
greater are the words of our God Almighty, who said, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with
thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be
burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy
Saviour: Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; Behold, I will
do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and
rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah chapter 43).
Only God can see the mountain tops from the valley floor. He is famous for making a way where there
does not seem to be a way. That’s why He is known by many as…Waymaker!
Francis Mason
Pastor Mason