I am having a hard time pulling all my thoughts and words together.
We just returned from a 10 day trip out west.
Sedona, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas.
Mountains and valleys.
In our vocabulary we want “mountaintop” experiences. People want to live on the mountaintops not the valleys when it comes to everyday life.
We describe good things in our life as mountaintop happenings.
When we hit the hard times we say we are in the valley.
The last few months personally I feel like I’ve been underground in the lowest of valleys. (Please no sympathy comments, just trying to put to words what I believe needs to be written.)
While on vacation the mountain views were spectacular.
The valleys though. They had a beauty of their own. The wildflowers, the grasses, the dips, hills and vales.
The mountains would not appear so elegant and majestic if not for observing them in the valley.
The valley was quiet, calm and peaceful.
While on the edge of the Grand Canyon the wind whipped. You could see the effects of the wind. You could feel and hear it. This place was not peaceful. It was powerful and awesome but not peaceful.
When we live in the valleys of life we too often look at the mountains and wish we could escape the valley. The mountains look so large and gallant.
But what I’m finding is that the quiet of the valley is more powerful than the majestic of the mountain. In the valley the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit is so sweet. So calming. It settles nerves, fights fears, wipes tears and wraps you physically in His love.
Walking through the valley side by side with Jesus is like a guided tour.
When walking through the valleys in Arizona we could see past evidence of life. Stone walls, footings and more.
When walking through the valleys of life Jesus will bring us evidence of past journeys. Sometimes through other people, sometimes a song, sometimes a book, sometimes if we get real quiet by ourselves we get him.
There is something precious about the valley that we need to embrace. We need to settle in, and listen. Don’t be in hurry to glance around and climb up the hills towards the mountain.
Some things can only be heard in the valley.
Some things only heard in the valley will be the only difference between living a good life and living a life filled with purpose, power and offerings of a better life to share with others.
If you’re in the valley right now, stop walking. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Let it out. Relax your shoulders. Stand still and listen.
There’s an old song I came across – God on the Mountain by Lynda Randle.
Life is easy, when you're
up on the mountain
And you've got peace of mind,
like you've never known
But things change, when
you're down in the valley
Don't lose faith, for you're never alone
For the God on the mountain,
is still God in the valley
When things go wrong,
He'll make them right
And the God of the good times,
is still God in the bad times
The God of the day is
still God in the night.
You talk of faith, when
you're up on the mountain
But talk comes so easy,
when life's at it's best
Now it's down in the valleys,
of trials and temptations
That's where your faith,
is really put to the test
For the God on the mountain
is still God in the valley
When things go wrong,
He'll make them right
And the God of the good times,
is still God in the bad times
The God of the day, is
still God in the night
The God of the day, is
still God in the night.
https://youtu.be/mvkCoC0ZOZc?si=eCZF7Wyf4-vgRlAD
