I recently went on a 5-day tour through Tibet with my Squad. Tibet is a Western province of China that sits between Nepal and the rest of China and consists of high altitudes, mixed peoples, and Mountains. Tibet was both a memorable and awful experience for me and many members of my squad. Through both the good and the bad that came from it, I learned about 5 reasons why I prefer the valley from the mountain top.
- The lower we are, the more reliant we become on God coming to us.
What can seem like a cliché mindset really holds true in the life of a believer. Jesus came to lay down his life for his sheep and to bring heaven down to earth into our hearts (John 10:15, Matthew 6:10). It’s easy to want to strive for spiritual success, or any kind of success, by means of accomplishments or effort, essentially climbing up a latter or mountain. In many instances, that’s a very noble and honorable thing. However, when the source of our spiritual condition is based on our conditional effort and not on the cross, grace, and strength of Christ, we will eventually fall and be reminded of our inability to reach God’s standards without the blood of our savior and his effort to come down and change us. Live by faith and let Godly actions come from allowing God to come down to you, not vice versa.
Galatians 3:11
“Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’”
John 6:38
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”
- The valley builds character more effectively than the mountain top.
The valley, which often represents hardships and difficult times/seasons of our life, produces a character that God has designed and desired us to carry. When I was 17 years old, I went to a big youth conference thinking that I would have this powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit that many of my peers had seemingly experienced. After not feeling God in the way I thought I would at the conference, I went home discouraged and defeated. The next morning, God led me to Proverbs 17:3 which says, “The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart”. A crucible and a furnace purify silver and gold through heat, pressure, and refinement. It’s an intense and messy process. God does the same for our hearts. Most often, as God revealed to a disheartened young man, believers are purified, sanctified, and made more into the image of God through lows in life and persecution. It increases our reliance on God and more accurately reveals his power when he accomplishes his will in the most unlikely circumstances. Read throughout the New Testament and you will see a common theme that as the church faces opposition and suffering, it actually grows faster and stronger, looking more and more like Christ as it continues.
Romans 5:3-5
“Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”
- The valley grows more life
This holds true both naturally and physically. Valleys, seen laying between two mountains or hills, usually contain an abundance of vegetation. Rivers often run through valleys and the lower altitude they sit in provides a higher oxygen level for life to thrive in. An image often given to represent a valley is 2 mountains with a plain of green land in between it. It’s a reminder of how spiritually, we are more inclined to grow in the lower places that force us to trust in God, persevere in character, and become stronger. We might not have the same perspective that the mountain top would give us to see the growth that’s taking place, but the environment is prime for the intention God has for us there. Trust in him in the midst of the low places in life, being thankful for the oxygen (Holy Spirit) and water (God’s Word), that are provided for you while walking through them.
- There’s no altitude sickness in the valley
On the first day of our tour in Tibet, we reached a point in the mountains that was higher than base camp on Mount Everest. We were more than 17,000 ft above sea level. It was incredible. The sights were magnificent, and I saw the beauty of God all around that point. Unfortunately, my body didn’t like the lack of oxygen up there and I learned about altitude sickness through first hand experience. For the rest of our 5-day tour, I had a fever, headache, and fluctuating nausea. Many of my squad mates experienced the same thing. It was difficult to sit up, it was difficult to talk, it was difficult to sleep. There was nothing that could cure the symptoms permanently outside of lower altitude. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone and I don’t mind if I never reach that altitude ever again. However, I am very thankful for the sights and spiritual implications of being there with my brothers and sisters!
- The Valley is closer to the beach
With Pensacola, Florida as my hometown, the beach is a part of me. It’s a beautiful masterpiece created by God that brings joy, good times, and memories. The white sand, the emerald waters, and the calming winds portray attributes of our creator that bring me closest to him. The beach is also at sea level, which is where the valley be at. Mountains will always be beautiful, but the beach will always be home in my heart.
In the highs and lows of life, regardless of victories or defeats, I want to encourage each of you to take on the mindset of Paul in Philippians 4:12-13:
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him (Christ) who strengthens me.”
Grace, Peace, and, most importantly, Love!
Tyler
