It isn't breaking news to report that our lives are a series of peaks and valleys. This is the way it has always been. The question is, how do we make the most of each of those experiences and the time in between, what we might call the plateaus?
When the children of Israel were safely encamped at Horeb, during their journey out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, God spoke to them saying, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey and go to the hill country...Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore to your fathers," (Deuteronomy 1:6-8). In other words, to accomplish my will for you, it is going to mean you have to move out from the comfort and safety of the mountain and head into the valley.
Jesus and three of His disciples had a similar experience. Jesus had invited Peter, James, and John to join Him on a high mountain where He was "transfigured" right before their very eyes. Peter, never being one to be shy, suggested they pitch three tents, one each for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah who had miraculously appeared and were talking with Jesus. Jesus did not even respond to Peter's idea but, instead, led them down the mountain and right back into the real world of demon possessions, blindness, leprosy, and all manner of spiritual needs (Mark 9:2-13).
Like the ancient Israelites and the apostle Peter, we want to stay on the mountaintop. We long for the peaks in life. But God, in His perfect wisdom, knows that it is in the valleys where we are stretched and challenged to grow in our faith. Knowing that valleys are inevitable, we are wise to learn as much as possible and grow ever closer to the Lord while we are on the mountain. This is God's way of preparing us for the valleys that loom ahead.
Wherever you might find yourself today, on a peak or in a valley, rest assured you will not be there long. May we focus on the lessons God teaches us on the mountain so that we will be equipped to thrive and overcome as we walk through the valleys that will come.
When the children of Israel were safely encamped at Horeb, during their journey out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, God spoke to them saying, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey and go to the hill country...Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore to your fathers," (Deuteronomy 1:6-8). In other words, to accomplish my will for you, it is going to mean you have to move out from the comfort and safety of the mountain and head into the valley.
Jesus and three of His disciples had a similar experience. Jesus had invited Peter, James, and John to join Him on a high mountain where He was "transfigured" right before their very eyes. Peter, never being one to be shy, suggested they pitch three tents, one each for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah who had miraculously appeared and were talking with Jesus. Jesus did not even respond to Peter's idea but, instead, led them down the mountain and right back into the real world of demon possessions, blindness, leprosy, and all manner of spiritual needs (Mark 9:2-13).
Like the ancient Israelites and the apostle Peter, we want to stay on the mountaintop. We long for the peaks in life. But God, in His perfect wisdom, knows that it is in the valleys where we are stretched and challenged to grow in our faith. Knowing that valleys are inevitable, we are wise to learn as much as possible and grow ever closer to the Lord while we are on the mountain. This is God's way of preparing us for the valleys that loom ahead.
Wherever you might find yourself today, on a peak or in a valley, rest assured you will not be there long. May we focus on the lessons God teaches us on the mountain so that we will be equipped to thrive and overcome as we walk through the valleys that will come.
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