Mountain to Valley

Today was a wonderful day, and a horrible day. It was an uplifting day, and a discouraging day all in one. Why? Because I went on a ladies retreat with my church. It was tucked away in the woods, off the beaten path — a place of quiet, natural surroundings where one can seek God and meet with God. That was the wonderful part. We sang songs of praise together as one unified voice! We listened to sermons and took notes! God pricked and probed my heart and mind, turning my gaze towards Him during this devoted time of praise, prayer and meditation on the Word of God.

However, then I got home, and within an hour, I had slumped back into my old ways. Eating foods that I didn’t really want to eat; thinking things that I should not think. Basically, choosing idols over God, and choosing my way over His Will. Filled with guilt and shame and an overwhelming sense of regret over making the same old mistakes again and again, I prayed to God. In frustration, I asked Him, “Why am I like this?” And in desperation I cried out, “Help me, please!” I really want to change and become more holy and righteous like God, but every time I try, I fail.

Thank God that I don’t have to do anything because God has already done it for me through His Son, Jesus Christ! He already knew that I would make mistakes. God already knew that I would turn my back on Him time and time again, even after salvation, and even after a mountaintop experience like the retreat that I attended! He knew that I would fail, and that I was ultimately hopelessly lost without Him due to my sin nature! That is why He sent His Son, Jesus, to come into this world as a perfect man. That is why Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and then He rose again to give us victory over sin and death once and for all! Thank You, GOD!!

Now, I am not saying that this truth automatically makes my present moment better miraculously. I still have to struggle with my natural desire to sin. And I still have to struggle with the influences of the world and the temptations of the devil, plus the trials and tribulations of this world. BUT GOD is with me through it all! And HE makes a way to conquer the sin on a daily basis. HE leads me to the right choices IF I choose to look to Him and follow Him. And, when I fail yet again, HE forgives and loves me anyways, and helps me back onto the right path — the path of righteousness.

The retreat that I attended today was about resting in Him, and I was reminded of some verses in the Bible from Psalm 23. (They are below). I have found that if I abide in God and just rest in Him and trust in His Word, then I make better choices and I am able to follow Him more faithfully. Maybe that is a lesson that we can all take from these mountain top and valley experiences that I had today: Get to know God and rest in Him. Lay your cares and worries at the feet of Jesus and allow Him to lead you and give you peace and rest in your soul. God bless you and have a good day.

Psalm 23

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

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