In Other Words...

"We are not built for the mountains and the dawns and aesthetic affinities, those are for moments of inspiration, that is all. We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we have to prove our mettle."
~ Oswald Chambers ~

I can remember a few times in my life when I felt like I was on top of the world spiritually. I was having one of those "mountaintop experiences." I felt so close to God and all I wanted to do was spend time in the Word and in prayer. I would fill pages and pages of my journal with all the great thoughts and prayers I was having. I would spend so much time at the feet of my mentors absorbing their wisdom and then I would go to yet another worship service. I learned so much during those times.

But, then as I look back on those times I see that I rarely spent much time outside of myself. My focus was on MY relationship with God and I turned inward to nurture that relationship. I do not doubt that there is a time of inward focus and contemplation while on the mountaintop, but it is just a time.

I am sure many of you have heard about someone who was "so heavenly minded that he/she was no earthly good." I have most definitely had times when that explained me very well. I didn't want to "waste" my time with the Lord helping other people out. There are only so many hours in the day, after all. By the grace of God, though, I have become far more service minded. I have moved down from the mountain and now I am in the valley among His other children. I am serving Him by helping others to climb their mountain, so that they can come back down and help even more.

It is also during our times in the valleys of everyday life that our true faith is lived out. It is so easy to have strong faith when you are dedicating all your time and energy to drawing close to God. When you are on the mountaintop you feel so much closer to the Lord physically, mentally, emotionally, AND spiritually. Faith is EASY then. However, when we live our lives with children, husbands, houses, chores, errands, and dogs it is much harder to maintain that fervor. God can be lost in the details of life sometimes. But, it is then that true faith is shown and known. It is when we actively choose to spend time with Him during busy days that He is most glorified.

I look forward to the day that I can have another time on my mountain. Perhaps it will be on a church spiritual retreat or even in the comforts of my own home. When the time comes and I need a spiritual refresher I am sure that he Lord will bring me a mountain. Till then I am content to serve my Lord right here in this valley among those he created and loves.

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