On a recent outing with my family we drove to Mena, Arkansas. Our destination was not the historic town of Mena but the Queen Wilhelmena State Park located at the top of one of the surrounding mountains of the town.
As we drove into the outskirts of town we drove past houses of differing states of disrepair and neglect with yards filled with fallen trees or debris, trash, long-dead vehicles and all other forms of broken down, discarded junk. Places that reminded me of defeat and bondage, sadness and despair, hopeless situations and heartache and hunger. As we got closer to town the houses, though older, were lovingly restored and well-kept. Then there were of course the new ones that looked as if no one had set foot into them. The town itself was filled with historic buildings. Some restored and filled with business and life while others stood a haunting, empty reminder of a past that was thriving with business and success. People drove and walked in all directions, intent on their lives and places they had to be, wrapped in the cares of their worlds. Intent on doing the the things they need or wanted to accomplish that day. Much like we were doing, focused on our goal of the mountain top state park with all it's promise of scenic beauty.
Soon we began our ascent. Immediately the road signs began to warn of the dangers of falling rocks and steep narrow roads, no shoulder and dangerous curves, no parking and rusted guard rails. The climb would be difficult and possibly treacherous if we had car trouble or bad weather. There were even signs warning that travel would be restricted in case of snow or dense fog; and once on top of the mountain if these conditions arose there would be no leaving until they cleared.
Still we pressed on, excited about what the top of the mountain would bring - beautiful views, scenic trails, a chance to see the wildlife and nature. Who knew what else could be at the top of this mountain - we were in for the adventure and beauty - we wanted to experience God's creation!!
As we drove up our van strained against gravity and we noticed that our "miles to empty" began to rapidly drop....113, 110, 98, 85....and so on - this trip was going to cost more than anticipated, but we did not turn back to fill up the tank confident that we had enough to make it up to the top.
At different times we could stop at overlooks and look out across the valley below. Of course we did and as our height increased so did our vision of what we had just left below. Not only did I become aware of the great expanse of the valley and all it's beauty I became aware of the many things I had not seen. The things I had not noticed or been able to see with my limited vision: small neighborhoods and communities nestled here and there, a beautiful still lake, a forest fire at the base of another mountain and so much more.
Finally we reached the top with only 1/4 of a tank of gas left. I began to open the van door and immediately it was whipped by a blast of cold wind. Stepping out I zipped my heavy coat and with eyes watering made sure each child had their coats zipped and hoods pulled tight. WOW! What views! What absolutely breath-taking views - I could see for miles the very Handy-work of God. Undeniable in every aspect, unexplainable by any means, unbelievable. I noticed that the mountainside and valley had beautiful, tall, old pine trees green and strong surrounded by lifeless looking trees still asleep in winters cold. I imagined how much more beautiful it would be when the life-giving spring rains began and the warm spring sun brought everything to life again. I also noticed though some of the valley lay deep in the shadows much more of it was in open sunlight; still and protected from the fierce, cold wind I was being buffeted with.
You see as Christians we are like the evergreens - tall and proud, called out and alive in the middle of winter's deadness. Alive while others are asleep or dead in sin around us. We stand in stark contrast to our surroundings, different and beautiful, ever-alive. Too often we are too satisfied in our own salvation that we forget to be the water for valley around us. We were after all given the living water of Jesus Christ never to thirst again (John 6:35). We are commanded to go and share this living water when Jesus said, "Go ye therefore..." in Matthew 28:19. Yet sometimes we live our lives striving to reach the mountain tops regardless of the cost. Not taking into account that which is around us. We become so focused in on our own circumstances and feelings. Sometimes distracted by our struggles and trials and some how we become convinced if we can only get out of the valley and onto the mountain top the enemy won't be there, things will be beautiful and peaceful and right again.
So sometimes God lets us ascend to the glories of the mountain top...to take in his handy-work and teach a lesson. The mountain top has always been a place of lessons taught and God's presence, of sacrifice and obedience, of reckoning, and acknowledgement. After all the laws were given on the mountain top and the promised son was placed on the alter, and the sufficient sacrifice of the time provided....and ultimately the life-giving sacrifice at the "hill" of Golgotha.
He allows us to take full view of His hand-work in our lives, the beautiful tapestry he is weaving - the very tapestry of which we are a part of. We can see what surrounded our lives that we neglected to see or could not see in our limited vision while in the valley. Down in the valley I could not see the lake or the fire or the great expanse of life, I could only take in that which was around me.
Then again - I was also not assaulted by the terrible wind in the valley. You see the wind is like our enemy - he is always there. He will follow us even to the mountain tops of life, intent on seeing us fail. Christ tells us this. We can not run to hidden places or be satisfied standing still. We must learn to walk in the valleys. Even in the shadows and trust in the the Lord as David said so eloquently in the 23 Psalm when he stated that "Lo, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil...". Trusting always that the Lord will lead us out of the shadows into the green pasture where the sun is shining and beside the still, untroubled waters. Both places are in the valleys of life - the still water and the shadows, the green pasture and the dry land! The still waters are not on the unprotected, exposed mountaintop where the wind is strong and fierce; they are in the valley covered in sunshine and the warmth of God's love, a haven of rest for a moment.
I eagerly descended the mountain that day. Ready to be out of the wind. Eager to see the lake and look more closely at the the things around that I had missed on the way up. Curious about the lake and the fire and the small communities that had dotted the valley.
Do not be blinded by your limited vision. Rather place that limited vision into the hands of a limitless God calling on his name (Jeremiah 33:3)and see what he can do. His miracles are fresh every morning and He has called you out as a peculiar people with thoughts of peace and an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11). He will guide you through the valley of the shadow to the still water and you will be as lamp on the hilltop providing light in the darkness. You will become the instrument of God to dispense the living water in the dry, thirsty places. God will empower you, sustain you - his strength is sufficient.
Trust. Only trust. The valley is not so bad when the God who created it all is there beside you - - there's lots of beauty all around.
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