Peaks and Valleys - What Do We See From Those Vantage Points?

I was just thinking about - - -

The challenge of the Mountain Peaks can produce strength, stamina, exhilaration - a sense of achievement. But the one who has never tried and never faced the challenge will never know the thrill of an expectation fulfilled and a reality attained.

One of the reasons for being at the Peak is the breath-taking view of a broad horizon. One can behold and admire the handiwork of God and the beauty of His Creation. However, there is a positive reason for descending to the Valley and for comprehending a view in the Valley. I am reminded of the words in Joel 3:14.

Multitudes, Multitudes, in the Valley of Decision!

For the Day of the Lord is near in the Valley of Decision.

It is in the Valley where great need is present and represented. Confusion, despair and misdirection abound. Hopelessness and helplessness is seen everywhere. Fear and apprehension fill many souls and hearts. Is there anyone concerned and caring enough for those trapped in the quagmire of the Valley? This also reminds me of an account recorded in Mark 4:36...

Now when they had left the multitude,

they took Him (Jesus) along in the boat as He was.

And other little boats were also with Him.

The fascinating thing to me is that when the storm breaks out during the night and the Disciples, who had tried everything they knew to do, awaken Jesus and ask Him: "Don't You care that we are perishing?" Their vantage point and expressed concern was flawed by their focus and concern for their own deliverance and safety. The "other little boats" were in greater peril and needed just as much help. When Jesus rebuked the Disciples for their diminished faith, He could have just as well rebuked them for their failure to be concerned for the "other little boats"!

I wonder about Faith and Vision today - what do we Believe, and what do we Envision both about and for the Kingdom... Let us not forget the "other little boats" and our commitment to try and do what we can for them... Theodore Roosevelt's words about THE MAN IN THE ARENA still have impact and value for us today...

• "It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."