Does anyone else have to stop and think before comparing an experience to a mountain or a valley? On one hand, mountains are hard to climb and a mountain of anger or bad history can separate people. Sometimes we try to use our mustard seeds of faith to move mountains of whatever stands between us and our goals, be it made of debt, a lack of discipline, or anger. We call problems and difficulties "uphill battles" and say "It's all downhill from here," meaning we've come through the hardest part. However, specific mountains in the Bible were designated as places people met and worshiped God (Mount Sinai, Mount Carmel, Mount Zion and the Mount of Olives). In many countries, people flee to the mountains for refuge during wars. God's people built Jerusalem on higher ground and thought they were invincible. When something good happens we say we're "on top of the world" and we call the peaks in our spiritual lives "mountain top" experiences.
What about valleys? Armies meet to war in fields on flat land but fertile valleys are also where rivers flow to provide the best place for farms and gardens. Psalm 23 associates valleys with both life and death. "Green pastures" and "quiet water" can only be found in the lowlands yet David spoke of the threat of death as a shadowy valley.
Maybe our metaphors are confused because our God is always showing us the "up" side of what brings us down. God sees our overall growth chart rather than our circumstances. He's interested in the location of our hearts: whether they're soaring with faith in the deepest pit or buried and blind to His Presence and Purpose while surrounded by mounting evidence that He's moving and working in every direction as far as the eyes could see if they were opened.
Later this morning, Tom and I will head to Arkansas Children's Hospital to be with a family who has been living in the valley of the shadow of death for several weeks. Today, life support will be removed from their week old baby girl. They face a mountain of hurt and disappointment that could block out the Light of God's Presence and Love. And while faith moves mountains, does that mean that if they have enough faith Baby Lyla will live? No. It means that if they put their bruised and questioning faith in the God who holds the whole world in His hands, they will have the peace of knowing their little tiny Lyla is safely in His loving hands down here where they hold her, and "up" in heaven where God will hold her as she waits for them.
Father, my heart breaks for Brittany and Marcus as they wait and watch, but I wonder what Lyla is experiencing. Have You shown her Your face? Do angels entertain her? May Your will be accomplished today in the lives of these three and their family. Open their eyes to see how Your working for their good, in their behalf. May the hope that they'll see one another again sustain them. Fill their hearts with blessed assurance and peace. Guide the words and actions of those with them. We trust You know and will do what is best because You love Lyla most.
In the name of Jesus, Son of the Most High yet Son of Man!
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
"Those who know Your Name will trust in You, for You LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 9:10
"Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me." John 12:26
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