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Sunday, April 27, 2008

I keep a file of quotes, actually several files. They inspire me and I'm amazed how the right ones surface at just the right time. God IS Good!!
This week, this one surfaced....again.

"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 Chamber
It's intriguing, so I went 'digging' a little deeper...and found that the sentence that precedes this one in the text by Chamber makes it all VERY clear to me....
he says,
"The test of our spiritual life is the power to descend; if we have the power to rise only, something is wrong. It is a great thing to be on the mount with God, but a man only gets there in order that afterwards he may get down among the devil-possessed and lift them up."


The proof of my 'mettle,' (or as Miriam Webster defines it....my 'vigor and strength of spirit,') is going BACK down off of the mountain where I caught a 'glimpse' of heaven and the glory of God.... I am challenged to go BACK down and use what I have seen to lift others on their walk...I think of my own journey with infertility and when our first was born we were on the top of that mountain, to stay there would have been wrong...we NEEDED to descend and spread the word of what had been done for us...a testimony!

I think of the apostle Paul and his conversion, to stay on the mountain would have been complacent, he NEEDED to get out there and DO! He was inspired by what had occurred, now it was time to get off of that mountain and use it!!

Those times on the mountain are where God 'refuels' us! Refreshes our souls and invigorates our spirits! Peter, James and John could not stay on the mountain where the Transfiguration occurred, (LUKE 9:28 ~36) they had to descend to the valley, where the lowly were living and teach them and inspire them with what they saw and knew...we are called to do the same...come down!

The mountain is a lovely place, what a view...but we were not meant to climb to the top and pitch a tent and stay there, ...oh maybe for a bit, to take it all in, but our spirits should want to descend to those valleys of the mundane and the trials of life....WE are the disciples!

We are the ones who are now called to come down and 'share' what we saw...encourage others to climb to the top and experience that 'glimpse.'

I believe that we are disciples sharing what we have learned on our journeys, sharing so that others can begin the ascent...
If we continue to encourage each other, descend from the mountain, passing those on their way up...
we will be involved in a beautiful cycle that God himself ordained...

If you close your eyes, you can almost imagine it, disciples on their way up, and those making the descent...and it continues on until the end of time.....


That mountain top view is lovely, I have seen it, sat in my lawn chair at the top....but I was not meant to LIVE there, that is for eternity...I was meant to live in that valley, walking and encouraging others with what I have witnessed 'up there!' So, I fold my chair and begin to walk down, grateful and praising HIM, for another view from 'up there,' now ready, with sleeves rolled up to do some real work!! The work I was born to do! You know, 'proving my mettle!' Knowing always, that HE has another 'view from the top' waiting for me....to encourage and refuel me on my way....

He is FAITHFUL like that!

You can find me and my lawn chair over here most days....



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14 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I recognize the quote from "My Utmost for His Highest". It could be the most highlighted page in the whole book for me! I remember reading it the first time - what an impact!

"but I was not meant to LIVE there, that is for eternity..."

THAT is the part I need help to remember. What a great Sunday post!!(You know . . . this could be a whole sermon!)

April 27, 2008 at 7:15 AM  
Blogger Mocha with Linda said...

Excellent. And how wonderful that He comes into the valley with us!!

April 27, 2008 at 8:54 AM  
Blogger Susan said...

Lori,

This word was so timely. Thanks for being sensitive to the HS when you did this devotional. I've been blessed and challenged.

I'm reminded of one of my favorite books as I read this. Hinds Feet On High Places. After a long and very treacherous journey up to the mountain top she was told to go back down to the valley and help others out. Wow...

Be blessed and have a great day you've made mine better♥

April 27, 2008 at 9:24 AM  
Blogger Salute said...

These words are so true...as mention we cannot always stay on top looking down we need to come down and spread the good news.

April 27, 2008 at 10:22 AM  
Blogger Julie said...

Loved the post, Lori,

My thoughts...the most fertile soil is in the valley.

Have a blessed day!
Hugs,
Julie

April 27, 2008 at 11:37 AM  
Blogger Denise said...

Bless you sweet one.

April 27, 2008 at 2:56 PM  
Blogger windycindy said...

You mean we can't go the the time of the mountain and become hermits?
Sometimes, that is exactly what I feel like doing! Thanks for your wonderful thoughts.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

April 27, 2008 at 6:18 PM  
Blogger Melanie said...

Lori, Thanks so much for this devotional. I had never thought about it in this manner, but it is so true.

April 27, 2008 at 8:31 PM  
Blogger tammi said...

Lori, you just have absolutely NO IDEA how much I needed to hear that today! I've been a little 'down in the dumps' lately for no good reason and I'm so thankful I checked your blog this morning and followed your thoughts over here. I love this perspective ~ and I think it's SO dead on, but few of us ever think about it this way. Thank you for keeping files of quotes to share with us!!

April 28, 2008 at 8:47 AM  
Blogger Lisa~ said...

Thanks for sharing such an encouraging post! Its so true.... God is Faithful!!

Lisa~

April 28, 2008 at 10:34 AM  
Blogger Laura Paxton said...

I LOVE Oswald Chambers' writings! Thank you for the reminder to be ready and willing to stay here "in the trenches."

April 28, 2008 at 10:49 AM  
Blogger Joanne@ Blessed... said...

Lori,

I just loved this devotion. A dear friend recently took all the air out of my mountain top balloon when she told me that the higher the mountain top, the deeper the valley.

The mountain top experiences (like you said) fuel us for the valley experiences.

Blessings, Joanne

April 28, 2008 at 1:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love those quotes. I collect them myself. They always seem to inspire me in some way.

Enjoy your day!
Debbie

April 28, 2008 at 2:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lori,
I really liked your message. It gave me new perspective of when personally I have been on the mountain and also in the valley. 4 years ago while in that dark valley, it was hard to see God's faithfulness, and how he could use where I was later in life. But because of my place in that particular valley I am able share my story, and the hope and beauty for ashes that God ALWAYS provides. He truely is with us on the Mountain, but KNOWING and seeing that he is also with us in that dark valley is all the more sweet now.

*But I have to admit....I MUCH prefer the tops of those beautiful mountains (smile).

Thanks again for sharing such a wonderful perspective.

April 28, 2008 at 7:24 PM  

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