Disclaimer: Although I am in a slow season, I would not consider myself to be currently in a “valley”. If this post finds you in a valley, my prayer is that it would provide a way for you to look to Jesus, the one who rules the universe and holds you in His hands.

About a week ago, I was exploring Yosemite National Park with Brandon. It is the most beautiful place I have ever been, and I have been fortunate enough to have visited twice now. The first time I entered the park five years ago, I was completely overwhelmed and amazed by the greatness, beauty and pure glory of God that is displayed in His creation. I was with a group of college students and I remember just breaking down and bawling my eyes out as we sang worship songs at Glacier Point (pictured above) at sunset. God was beyond beautiful in that moment. My heart was flooded with gratitude as I stood amazed that such a Creator would love ME. The flawless, magnificent, all-powerful Creator who spoke these giant wonders into existence chose to send His Son to live perfectly and die unjustly so that I could know Him and experience closeness with Him, the same closeness I was experiencing in that very moment.

Side note: Believe me, if you have not been to Yosemite, you are missing out. The rocks, waterfalls and meadows truly cry out in praise. Jesus was not joking in Luke 19 when He said that even the rocks would cry out. Since my first visit, one of my favorite Bible verses has been Psalm 19:1. The heavens declare the glory of God. They do. Have you looked around lately? Ahhh.

Anyways, on day two of our time in the National Park, we walked around Yosemite Valley, tripping and running into each other because we were not paying attention to where we were walking. Looking up, we were in awe of the giant domes, waterfalls, trees and other rock structures that towered high above us.

As we walked around flat trails in the shade of huge mountains, I thought about how much I truly enjoyed being in the valley. Again, I found myself overwhelmed by God’s beauty. And I felt so small. Don’t we always expect the mountaintop to be the best view? Well, this valley was awesome. I thought about this irony and a connection to the valleys and mountaintops experienced in life.

In a valley you have two options.  You can keep your eyes downward, focusing on the placement of your feet. Or you can lift you eyes and be amazed by the awesome landmarks that tower over you. You can choose to sit in the mud, mired down in self-pity (my go-to response) or feelings of worthlessness. Or you can choose to look up and far beyond your immediate circumstances, reminding yourself that God has been faithful before and He will be faithful again. You can look up, accepting the truth that God is much larger and higher than your ideas and opinions about what your life should look like.

A wise soul once advised me to keep a running list, even if it is only mental, of the huge ways that you have seen God work in your life. Then, when you are going through a difficult season, you can intentionally look back and remember that God is faithful even when your heart doesn’t feel that truth. Though our circumstances and emotions do, His character never changes.

So next time you find yourself in a valley, don’t forget to look up. Look and be overwhelmed.

Scripture for the Valley
If we are faithless, he will remain faithful. (2 Timothy 2:13)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts and neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

**Check out this song that has been encouraging me for weeks and helped inspire this post. 😉