Life is not Meant to be One Big High, it is a Testing Ground

by Cheery Blossom⁽²⁸⁾

I have been thinking about when I was born again at the age of 13! What a high! I could’ve walked on clouds, or so it seemed. As a young teen, I rather expected to live in that high. Well, life is not meant to be one series of highs. None of us would amount to anything if we were allowed to live in that ecstasy.

In Revelation, we read that heaven is for those who overcome the pitfalls of life. Read all of the letters to the churches. Revelation 2:1 was to the church of Ephesus. In Verse 7, the scriptures say…….to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. KJV

Verse 8 is the letter to Smyrna. In verse 10, it says ……….be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. KJV

Verse 12, is to the church in Pergamos, and in verse 17, it states…..To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. KJV

If you continue reading the letters to the churches, you will understand what I am saying.

Think about Moses. What a high he must have felt when each of the plagues came upon the Egyptians, just by being obedient in the use of his rod, as the Lord directed. Then, each time, his hopes were dashed when God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. His high was very short lived, and he found himself in a valley, with the people taking a dim view of the whole thing. You can read the series of events, and struggles, in Exodus.

Then, there was David, “a man after God’s own heart. Check Acts 13; 22. He had his highs, but, seemingly more valleys. Yet, with the blessing of God, because he recognized God’s hand in his trials as well as the highs, and praised God anyway. David also readily confessed his sin when he was faced with it, as when Nathan came to him. Read II Samuel 12:1-12.

We could also speak of the Valley of Dry Bones, which God gave life to. Ezekiel 37:1-14. There are a lot of lessons in the valleys of our lives. Often when we are down, God is trying to teach us a great life lesson.

Some of us expect the church service to pump up a high when we are down. That type of high does not last. We will soon be disappointed. God wants us to be steadfast in Him, whatever our circumstances may be.

Let’s not complain, but seek to learn from our valleys, and move on. There are mountain tops on each side of a valley. It may be a climb, but Jesus holds our hand! Verna Mull

Article submitted Saturday, August 22, 2009 & read 342 times.

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» left by Marijo Phelps from mountain meadow in CO (2 years 260 days ago.)

Yes, it is in the valleys that we get character and hopefully, become more like Jesus AND we should have a "high" by being in His presence. Verna, keep expounding - I like this so much - and you can write rhymes too. What a blessing to His Body! Marijo

» left by Anonymous (2 years 258 days ago.)

Hi Verna, thank you for this message. As Christians we are not ammuned to the trials of life and we need to share this truth as a balanced witness to the reality of life with God. The good news is that in Christ we have victory in the valley. Excellent witness! Teresa

» left by louis gander from verona, wi (2 years 253 days ago.)

excellent thoughts here Verna. i've said many times that when we're in a valley, keep walking because there's only one way and that's UP. i'm glad you use the word "steadfast" because there's a difference between that and an emotional 'high'. nice job of bringing it all together. thanks :)

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