WELCOME

The sky is always blue beyond the clouds. There is always hope and encouragement here.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

The Highest Mountains

In the old house that belonged to my parents, on one of the boards on a door frame are many measurements. In fact, there are over 30 years of measurements. 
When my daughter, Starla was born, my dad held her baby body up against the door frame and scratched a notch into the board. On her birthday she was again placed against the frame and another notch was scratched. Then my son, Tom came along and more notches appeared. Then came my son, Drew and his marks; my nephew, Levi; my niece Beth; my niece Kacey; and then my nephew, Jake. And many many scratches into the board. Every once in a while on the board you will see a name and a date of some other child that came in and wanted their mark on the doorframe.
Some of the marks are close to each other but none of them are in the exact place. However one thing was the same for each and every measurement, every child had their feet in the same place when being measured. Their feet were on the floor.
I asked my sister, Amy about that board today. I told her that I would like to have it if she doesn't want it. 
I will replace one of the doorframe boards in my home with that board.

A verse that I came across today fits in with that story in a way. But first listen to this statement that I heard somewhere. I apologize for not knowing who to credit with saying it.
The highest mountains are measured by the floors of the valley.
Yes, that's right the high peaks ( happiness, joy, achievements) are measured by the floors of the valley (sadness, fears, illnesses, hard times.) without those "bottoms" we would never know the heights of the good times. Every good thing is only good when compared to the bad times.
Now the verse:
In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB)
Please note, it does not say, "In the the good times, give thanks." Or "In most circumstances, give thanks." 
God expects us to be thankful in ALL things, at all times, because that is His will for us in Christ Jesus. 
As Christians we are to be grateful always!
Bad times are to be expected and they are the stable floor from which our mountain tops are measured. When we are growing in The Lord, we know that this is true.
Even Jesus tells us:
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NASB)


No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.