The Mountain and the Valley

Being on top of a mountain, looking out over the valley below, had me thinking deeply about the goodness of God. Being up there felt triumphant—like standing in a place I wasn’t sure I’d ever reach. As I looked down at the valley, it felt like I was seeing the story of how far God has brought me. Every bump, every bend, every twisting road, every giant rock and fallen tree reminded me of the obstacles I’ve faced while climbing the mountain of life.

I kept thinking about Jesus.

I pictured Him standing on the mountain, preaching to His disciples, teaching the truths that still echo throughout the valley today. I thought about Him moving mountains—not in the physical sense, but the ones inside us: fear, anxiety, depression, doubt, heartbreak, sin, discouragement. It reminded me that the same Jesus who stood on the mountain then is still leveling the ones in my soul now.

In contrast, standing in the valley below and looking up at the mountain felt like seeing the distance I still have to go—the climb ahead of me, the places where God is still shaping me, and the hope of the view that waits at the top. It reminded me that these seasons are always temporary. The pathway back to the top is forever there, with Jesus as our constant and steady guide.

Life continually pulls us between the mountain and the valley, doesn’t it? Yet Jesus remains faithful through it all. He guides our steps whether we’re soaring above or struggling below. Each time we lose our footing, His hand reaches out to support us. He is with us in every rise, every fall, and every moment in between. With Jesus by our side, the valley becomes a place of growth, and the mountain a vantage point to see just how far His grace has carried us.