We Are Mountaintop People
The Sovereign LORD is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.
Habakkuk 3:19
There are seasons of challenge that sometimes hit us from all sides. It is in these moments when we can be tempted to live in the valleys of the not-so-wonderful circumstances that surround us and who would blame us?
After all, we gotta be real. Right?
But what if…
…we knew that God made us to live on the mountaintops rather than in the valley of our circumstances?
…we could change our focus and see things from a much different perspective?
It has been a tough month. I found myself down for the count more than once, wondering if I should get comfortable or if it was even a good idea to get back up. Can you relate? It seems like everywhere I turn right now, people that I love and care for are struggling with their health, or finances, relationships, or faith. You name it.
It hits my heart hard.
As I reflect on this, I am reminded of one of my favorite passages in the book of Habakkuk, chapter 3. The prophet has just received some not-so-wonderful news and is lamenting the possibility of facing not just a bad day, but a tough “valley” season when he makes this declaration:
Though the fig tree does not bud, and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food,
though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls, (vs.17)
Okay, so basically…worst season ever!
YET I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! GOD the Lord is my strength; (vs. 18)
The prophet’s response to the valley season was a very powerful, mind-shifting YET!
It involved these three principles:
1) CELEBRATE ANYWAYS.
Sometimes you must decide to celebrate in the midst of the mess. This is not an easy thing to do, and it may seem counterintuitive in the face of great challenge. It will take resolve and intention, but if you will choose to change your focus and begin to celebrate the never-changing goodness of God, your heart will follow suit.
2) SEE THE BIG PICTURE
At the end of the day, the most important and profound truth is that God so loved us that He made a way through His Son Jesus for us to inherit eternal life. We did nothing to earn it. All we did was need it. The famous last words of Jesus are worth every ounce of JOY we can muster. It is finished! Nothing could ever mess that up!
3) LEAN IN.
The truth is, stuff happens and when it does, we can grow weary. Regardless of how weak we may feel, the Lord has promised us that he will be our strength. His power is perfected in our weakness so lean into His strength. Say it out loud then live like its true!
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As Habakkuk chose to live in the YET of his circumstances, the result as we read in verse 19 is that God enabled him to climb victoriously to the heights. My guess is that things looked a little different from the mountaintop and the way he experienced the challenges of the season shifted in a very good way. We can learn much from his example.
You see, just like Habakkuk, God has made us to be people of the heights.
He wants to enable us to rise above our challenging circumstances and give us a point of view that is from above…from His perspective.
This is a victorious place that we can live from, love from and lead from.
So, let your response to the challenges you are facing today be a grand, mind shifting YET!
Celebrate the Lord. Rejoice in your salvation, lean into his strength, and get ready to climb.
Looking forward,
Pastor Julie
