Mountains And Valleys, And One’s Spiritual Walk

I live east of the Cascade Mountain Range in central Washington State of the United States. From my front window can be seen Mt. Adams, the second highest peak in the state with an elevation of 12, 281 feet. On a clear day its snow-capped peak contrasted with the blue sky is a beautiful sight to behold, not to be taken for granted.

Seeing this reminds me of all the wonderful things that have happened on mountains recorded in the Bible. These mountaintop experiences begin with God giving Moses the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, recorded in Exodus 19-20. Luke 6:12 says that Jesus “went out to the mountain to pray, and all night continued in prayer to God.” It was on a mountain where Jesus overcame the temptation of Satan. Matthew 4:8-9 says, “The devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and said, ‘All these I will give you, if you fall down and worship me.’” Jesus quoted scripture and said “Be gone, Satan.” Jesus gave his longest teaching, the Sermon on the Mount, better known as “The Beatitudes,”recorded in Matthew, chapters 5-7.

However, the most dramatic event ever recorded on top of a mountain was what is known as the transfiguration of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 17:1-8. “After six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him…” This encounter revealed two enormous events: the disciples witnessed the glorified nature of Jesus, and the reappearing of two Old Testament saints. Talk about a mountaintop experience!

Among the mountains of the Pacific Northwest are also valleys below, many of which consist of orchards, bearing fruit which is exported all over the world. And fruit can be bought fresh out of the fields on stands on the side of the roads. It is wonderful to have mountaintop encounters, but the valleys are where the fruit grows.

Christians may have emotional highs like being on top of a mountain, spiritually speaking, but it is down in the valleys of daily routine living and the low points of adversity, working with difficult people, sickness, stress, and a host of other problems, that brings forth the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” which produces endurance and spiritual maturity.

What emotional or inspiring experiences have you had in your walk with the Lord?  What difficulties or hardships have you been through that have born the fruits of spiritual growth in your life? We actually need both. You have to go through the valleys to get to the mountains.