Valleys and High Places

Valleys and High Places

Webster's dictionary defines Valley as a " stretch of low land lying between hills or mountains and usually having a river or stream flowing through it. Sounds peaceful enough. In human experience, we often look at events in our lives as seasons in the valley or on a mountain top. We long for the mountain top experience and usually equate it with a marvelous experience with the Lord. In the past, I've had countless times with the Lord be it at a Women's Retreat (although we always called them Advance since we wanted to move forward, not retreat), coporate prayer or worship time and in my times alone with Him. These experiences created a hunger and desire for more of the same. I like being in the High Places - literally and spiritually. The view seems clearer, it seems more peaceful and I can't hear all the noise from the traffic in the valley.

I am beginning to understand in a deeper way the principle of whatever goes up, must come down. The Lord Himself has desired a Pilgrim People for Himself. One of my "life verses" is Psalm 84:5-7

"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of  Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion."

As we journey with the Lord, He leads us to High Places and Valleys with His purposes in mind. One of those purposes is to actually increase our strength. I realize it's rather redundant to remind you that you can't have High Places without having Low Places because otherwise everything would be level.

We grow during the ascent to the High Place as well as during the descent to the Valley. Hikers will tell you that the climb builds leg muscles and strengthens them and that you need to be aware of your limits and abilities because the muscles required for the descent must be just as strong if not stronger. I can remember a few hikes in which the climb seemed to go easily, but by the time I descended, my legs were quite shaky and I felt like they were going to give out. It surprised me really, because I was so relieved to be going downhill again.

God wants us to be ever mindful that His PRESENCE goes with us. Practicing His Presence and learning to be aware that He truly never leaves us is critical in our journey with Him. It's His presence that strengthens us. Our faith grows when we trust in that which we cannot see, when we dig our heels into the side of the Mount of God and determine to follow Him no matter the cost because the alternative is a black abyss - we cannot imagine life without Him no matter how painful the current journey may be. We are assured that He will lead us to another High Place with broad vistas, a cooling breeze and fresh water. Likewise, as He leads us in descent to the Valley, we can trust that there will be a place of level ground, fresh meadows and still water.