“As long as nothing unexpected happens, I should be home for supper.”
Ashley listened as I shared my travels with our missionary, Philip. Churches were encouraged by the impossible things God is making possible, and I was even moved to tears when we learned of a $25,000 contribution. Driving home through the West Virginia hills, our trip had been a wild success: a true mountaintop experience.
Then came the valley. Not 30 minutes after that phone call to my wife, I was broken down less than a mile from Virginia. So began the next twelve hours of towing, bad news from the mechanic, renting a car, and finally arriving home shortly after midnight.
Valleys always follow mountaintops. Just look at Jesus’ own “mountaintop experience”. On a high mountain with His closest disciples, Jesus was transfigured: His face shone, His clothes became like light, and God’s voice declared, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him” (Matthew 17:2-5).
Then He comes down from the mountain. A man in the crowd brought his epileptic son whom Jesus’ disciples had too little faith to help. Those same disciples would become distressed when He foretold His death and resurrection. He’d be questioned about paying His taxes and His disciples would argue about who was greatest. What a valley.
I used to let my valleys cancel out my mountaintops, any past joy or encouragement completely forgotten in light of my current problems. Then Jesus taught me how to view mountaintops. Knowing the Father loved Him and was well pleased must have helped keep Jesus going as He faced problems in the valley. Instead of resenting my valleys, I started to see how God had been preparing me for them on the mountain.
Car trouble and unexpected expenses hurt. Driving home in the dark instead of being home with family is disappointing. Yet, nothing can steal our joy: we can only give it away. If we focus on God’s goodness and receive the love He’s pouring into us, there’s not a valley that He cannot bring us through.
Interested in supporting through your prayers and your financial partnership an outstanding faithful and fruitful mission work proclaiming the gospel and caring for orphans throughout the Middle East and Central Asia? Email me for more information.