As Christinas talk, we talk about being in the Valley and growing in what Christ is doing with us. But do you ever take a step back and notice that we may be in a Valley but we are still on the Mountain top? Think about that....We can be in the Valley and still be on the Mountain tops of many things. I tend to throw myself into the valley completely and let whatever it is break me down. So, as I sat in Kruje, Albania I finally made the connection. I literally sat upon a mountain top but in the valley.(pic at the bottom) It finally hit me that I, with God, can be conquering many trials in my life but still be in the midst of growing. I'm a visual person and this finally did it for me.

I think back to Joseph and how he was on the mountain top and then his own brothers sold him into slavery. He was put into the valley but his own...but our God is always with us. He is before us, beside us, and behind us. "No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate is form the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:39 NLT. This comes to mind that Joseph never lost his faith in God. He knew the Lord our God had already taken care of what was to come. He had a vision in a dream that he would be a mighty ruler over the land. But he didn't think it would be sold into slavery at the hand of his own brothers. And you all know the story of how he was sold into slavery, Potiphar's House, put into prison, interprets two dreams, and finally rules over Egypt. The vision that he received finally came to pass, but it was anything but the way he thought it would be... I go back to Romans 8:18 "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." This is a promise from God. He promises us that we are going to be provided for and that he has paved the way for us. We just have to lean on him and follow his plan. It's obedience. If we are obedient, the path will be easier than what we have planned on it being, because it is in his perfect plan for us to be right where we are in our suffering(valley). 

We have to take a step back and remember that God is always with us and that we have conquered many trials in our lives. We sit on mountain tops but in the valley of growth, humility, advancement, and love. "We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people." 1 Thessalonians 1:4