He’s the God of the Hills and Valleys

After a week of the refreshing mountain-cool-air in New Mexico, yesterday we made our way home by way of stopping to overnight in Amarillo, TX. Our trustworthy driver knows when to stop for R & R.

In our travels, we see the mountaintops and the valleys....and in our lives we experience the mountaintops and the valleys. How we look at the landscape and how we look at LIFE -- determines our attitude and altitude!

Tauren Wells wrote and sings a song I love that explains the hills and valleys of our lives. The story behind his song “Hills & Valleys” was inspired by the quote “When you’re on the mountaintops of life, learn to bow low -- and when you’re in the valleys of life -- learn to stand tall.” He explained that he hopes the song encourages his listeners to remember, “We’re standing in God’s grace, and His grace is enough -- He’s the God of the hills and the valleys.” Here’s the lyrics:

"I’ve walked among the shadows -- You wiped my tears away
And I’ve felt the pain of heartbreak -- And I’ve seen the brighter days
And I’ve prayed prayers to heaven from my lowest place
And I have held Your blessings -- God You give and take away
No matter what I have, Your grace is enough
No matter where I am, I’m standing in Your love
On the mountains I will bow my life to the One who set me there
In the valley I will lift my eyes to the One who sees me there
When I’m standing on the mountain I didn’t get there on my own
When I’m walking through the valley I know I am not alone
You’re God of the hills and valleys, hills and valleys
God of the hills and valleys -- And I am not alone."

This week, the only thing that represented “the valley of the shadow of death (i.e., the pandemic)” to us was having to wear face masks in stores. Restaurants took all their service to outdoors seating, which were social-distanced. So, you might say we were “on the mountaintops” because we rarely thought about the environment that we are still trying to get accustomed to back home. Still, there are valley-experiences back in Red River. My daughter asked our waitress: “Is there anything I can pray with you about?” She replied: “That it would not rain.” What she meant is her job depends on business and because of seating outdoors, rain keeps them from business. Though this town was hopping with business in our eyes, it isn’t to the retailers who depend on high traffic. It reminds me of so many who have suffered so many loses during these last months.

Mountains AND valleys seem common in our lives. I know mountains. I’ve gazed at their beauty. I’ve skied down them. I’ve driven the winding roads to the top of them and embraced the beauty from the top looking down. And I’ve also known the mountains that are the vast, enormous obstacles and circumstances that seem beyond overwhelming. We think that if only these mountains were removed, our lives might be more peaceful. But, there must be mountains to appreciate the valleys. And perhaps, God, in all His wisdom, is wanting us to scale those mountains. He is wanting us to hike up those mountains for a “mountain-top experience” where we are refreshed, restored, nourished, and where we receive divine revelation. His revelation is always intended to grow our faith, strengthen our resolve, and equip us to take on any mountain that may be standing in our way. Indeed He is with us and holds us tight in the hills and valleys.

"Let the mountains bring peace to the people, And the hills, in righteousness." Psalm 72:3

Our Hearts have Eyes

New land-scape and ocean-scape to take in this week. My Austin family and friends are in Port Aransas taking in everything beach and ocean for Brennan’s 16th birthday celebration. I was the first one up and at ‘em at 5 am to post my blog. Then I made my way to the beach to take in the magnificent beauty of the sun coming up over the ocean. It was a sight to behold. And, of all things God-given, I saw this cross. It was then I realized my heart must also have eyes because I sensed God’s presence and realized I want my heart’s eyes to see what He sees. I just need to open them up.

That reminded me of a song: “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I want to see You.” I want to see Him more than in my family and nature, the skies, and the oceans. I want my heart’s eyes to open up to all His wonders and grace. That song makes sense as I read this scripture: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will SEE God.” Matthew 5:8. That "pure in heart’ must be the prescription for 20/20 vision for seeing God! I want that vision!

A pure heart doesn’t mean we are perfect people. If our purest intention is to see God, we will. I’ve said it in so many of my blogs that while I can’t see the Lord’s physical form, I do see evidence of Him all around me. So, in that case, we should always be asking God to open our eyes to the many things in our life that speak to His presence. We can keep our eyes wide open as we look for evidence of God around us. It’s amazing: The more we recognize even the smallest things as gifts from God, the more we start to realize how present He is in our lives.

If what I’m saying seems too difficult to understand – the part about being able to SEE God, then maybe there is something dividing your heart and distracting you from seeing Him. That’s when we ask God to help us SEE. It may be that it’s a simple distraction of our technology gadgets or people who come between us and God in nature, in daily potential encounters when we have an awareness of Him. And, maybe, we need to look closer at the people around us -- just maybe we’ll see God in them as they help someone with food or clothing or encouraging words. The truth is – the more we purpose to place our focus on Him – in scripture, in people, in our daily activities, the more we'll see Him.

I love you, my precious friends. I believe with all my heart God isn’t trying to hide from us. He’s everywhere. He’s just waiting for us to open our eyes to Him.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound...was blind but now I see!”