Ecclesiastes 3:1
Sometimes I think the smallest thoughts pack the most punch. Especially this little (BIG) nugget the Lord dropped on us in Ecclesiastes. It's so crazy that during the mountain tops of our life, we almost can't remember the low times but during the low times we just pray for a moment of freedom, breath of fresh air... really even a hefty slap on the back would be nice at that time. I am well aware of living in both seasons. Something I heard this year and have faithfully quoted since is this...
"The preparation time is precious, because you never get that time back."
I immediately remembered those tough days in the past that I now look on and see the growth, the triumphs and even the losses that the Lord used to make me more like Him. On this side of the lows, they don't seem so low any more. Those times more look "precious" than ever before. Mostly because my understanding of the Lords love for me has grown. This is what I have discovered through His graciousness.
HIS LOVE NEVER FAILS!
How profound!!
A love that always watches me and cares for me. That never ceases in desire for me and could never over look me. A love that is true and perfect. It cast out all fear and draws me to itself. Demanding nothing of me. This love that is souly mine.
Those times of feeling at the end of my rope and not seeing any light at the end of the tunnel, almost to the point that I had convinced myself that I wasn't even in a tunnel... More like a black hole of despair. Those low days were so packed full of Gods love and mercy. I will never again regret a season in the lows. For that is truly where I was shown the love of a never forgetting, always caring, good Father. In the low He never left me, I have never been broken beyond repair, or even beyond my own thought of possible redemption.
Now if going from a mountain top experience to the valley isn't rough enough, it is almost just as shocking to be brought out of the valley. Maybe for me I don't feel like I deserve the mountains, almost a false humility that says, "I will stay low so I can be more like Christ." So weird and so far from the truth. His love brings us to a place with Him that is deserved because we are His children. I have found, that seeking Him in the low times, trusting Him in pain and being faithful when I can not understand, leads me back to the mountain.
The mountain for me is so simple. It is so sweet. It is the peace of the Lord. I know a lot of people far more spiritual than I, have peace even in the valleys and I am encouraged by it. When I am in the valley though; I am a wreck. running around like an emotional, crazy girl. Living in fear and confusion and COMPLETELY with out peace. I operate from pain and not trust. But the mountain is so full of peace. A simple calm understanding that I am so held by Christ that even if I don't know what my circumstance is, He does and I trust Him.
So now, as I sit in freedom from my failures. As I trust Him more than ever before, and now that I have more of His peace than I can even comprehend, I am overwhelmed at His love for me. The mountain top isn't about a feeling or of reassurance. For me, my mountain top is His peace. Even if I do not know where to go, or what step to take, what I do know is that I will follow His peace. Blindly if necessary. I refuse to live without it. It is the most precious treasure that I possess.
Now if going from a mountain top experience to the valley isn't rough enough, it is almost just as shocking to be brought out of the valley. Maybe for me I don't feel like I deserve the mountains, almost a false humility that says, "I will stay low so I can be more like Christ." So weird and so far from the truth. His love brings us to a place with Him that is deserved because we are His children. I have found, that seeking Him in the low times, trusting Him in pain and being faithful when I can not understand, leads me back to the mountain.
The mountain for me is so simple. It is so sweet. It is the peace of the Lord. I know a lot of people far more spiritual than I, have peace even in the valleys and I am encouraged by it. When I am in the valley though; I am a wreck. running around like an emotional, crazy girl. Living in fear and confusion and COMPLETELY with out peace. I operate from pain and not trust. But the mountain is so full of peace. A simple calm understanding that I am so held by Christ that even if I don't know what my circumstance is, He does and I trust Him.
So now, as I sit in freedom from my failures. As I trust Him more than ever before, and now that I have more of His peace than I can even comprehend, I am overwhelmed at His love for me. The mountain top isn't about a feeling or of reassurance. For me, my mountain top is His peace. Even if I do not know where to go, or what step to take, what I do know is that I will follow His peace. Blindly if necessary. I refuse to live without it. It is the most precious treasure that I possess.
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