Peaks and Valleys
Life is a series of ups and downs, peaks and valleys. There are times when things will be going great, working out just according to our plans. In these seasons it is easier to be joyful and “happy.” It is also in these times that it can be easier to wander away from God. When there is not a “need” to be met or something to be “fixed”, God can often be forgotten. Can you relate? I remember when we first moved back to Ohio. I had a new job and things were looking pretty good, but there was a void in my heart. It took a few months to realize that my quiet time with the Lord had decreased. Life had become too busy with unpacking, starting a new carrier, and trying to make new friends. It was a very “happy” time, but busy. Looking back, I can see how God had taken a back seat and I thought I was in control. I often wonder, if I had spent more time with Him during that period of transition in my life would starting my career have been easier? I have to believe it would have, but more importantly I learned a lot from that time and can see the ways God has grown me in the time that was considered a “peak.” I came across this quote by F.B. Meyer that says it well, “The (one) who is to take a high place before his fellows must take a low place before his God, and there is not better manner of bringing a man down than by suddenly dropping him out of a sphere to which he was beginning to think himself essential, teach him that he is not at all necessary to God’s plan and compelling him to consider in the sequestered vale of some Cherith how (imbalanced) are his motives and how insignificant his strength.” I love this quote because it helps me keep my perspective when things are going well.
What about those times when nothing seems to be working out? Those seasons when everything you do doesn’t work out. If only you could just catch a break. In those times, I wish more of my prayers were asking God to reveal what He is teaching me during this time or how I can use my valley to glorify him. But often I find myself on my knees begging God for something to change or for a particular outcome that I’ve decided would be the best. In the valleys that life can throw at us it can be lonely, isolating, typically not desired, and even embarrassing. I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be. What if I told you all of those feelings are lies from the enemy. Friends, there is no pit or valley that is too deep that God can’t pull you out of. To top that, God uses these valley’s to build our character so that we can share our struggles to help others. But sisters we have to share. If we stay quiet the “valley” an overtake us. While you or I may never know the reason we go through the trials we do, rest assured God knows and everything has a purpose.
If we look at the story of Joseph. He was one of eleven brothers and one sister. He was his father’s favorite and his other brothers didn’t like him for that. They plotted and pretended to kill him, leaving him in a pit where he was found by the Ishmaelites. These guys sold him to Potiphar, one of the Pharaoh’s officials, to be a slave in Egypt. Talk about a bad day! The story continues if we look In Genesis 39: 2-4 “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.” If you don’t know the rest of the story, I encourage you to read on. Joseph goes through several other peaks and valleys. Shortly after, Potiphar’s wife accuses Joseph of trying to “make sport of her.” Joseph is sent to prison, another valley. The common thread throughout Joseph’s life is that his relationship with the Lord does not waiver. In fact, through his peaks and valleys he develops the level of character that is required when the Pharaoh appoints him to be in charge of all the land of Egypt.
Whether you are in a peak or a valley right now let’s embrace where we are rather than wish to be somewhere else. Knowing that God will use our experiences to glorify Him if we allow it.
Heavenly father, we thank you for being the King of Kings. We know it may not always feel like you are looking out for us, but we see here through Joseph’s story that you are. Continue to refine us. We want to be more like you. In Jesus name. Amen