Gardens Don't Grow On The Mountain

Issue 2          [ November15, 2010]
   
     A Mountain is a large group of rock which rise in the air in excess of over 2,000 ft. Many are rocky slopes at an awkward angle and in many cases are cliffs straight up. There are mostly made of rock with little soil and few trees. Some people enjoy rock climbing as a hobby or sport. There are caves in many of them and some have been known to be mined in years past. Tunnels are cut through some as to allow trains to travel thru them.

     A Valley is a piece of land in between two mountains. Water will run down the mountain and end in the valley where it washes topsoil and nutrients to the bottom. This piece of land is great to grow many trees, plants, and all that is available in that geographic location.

     We have spoken of the natural side of things, now lets look at the spiritual side and ask ourselves the question. What is a mountain?

     When we go to live for God and we talk about being on a mountain top, it is implied that we are doing great. We are as high as we can get. WOW! Can you believe that the whole world is at my beckoned call. I have the tiger by the tail. God is blessing me and everything is going my way. It doesn’t get any better than this! The problem with living here on the mountain is we get everything we want, and we don’t learn the valuable lessons that is needed for us to truly grow in God.

     The Valley is a place where (spiritually) no one wants to be. Its filled with hard lessons to learn. We have to endure hardships, toil and tarry, pray and fast. This is where you are when a situation comes along and you’re having a tough time dealing with it. Maybe you are praying and fasting, and it seems like your prayers won’t even reach the ceiling. Maybe when you go to pray its so tight that you can’t even break thru with a 40 lb sledge. The tension is so thick, you can cut it with a knife. Everyone is seemingly against you. You feel all alone and you think no one cares if you live or die. You don’t even exist.

     You struggle to pay your bills, your tithes, and even pay attention. Getting up out of bed in the morning is so much of a chore. Depression wraps its chilly arms of despair around you. To disillusion you into thinking that there’s no hope of surviving.
　
     Friend I am here to tell you that this is where your real strength will come from. You will not find this overnight. It only comes thru persistence, determination, a will to survive and a desire to fight. When you feel as though you have nothing to loose, then you have nothing to hold you back.

     Long-suffering comes from hardships that linger. Joy comes from being in a state of sadness for a long time. Peace comes from being released from a drawn-out battle. Victory comes from defeating your enemy. When you can learn to pray for those that despitefully use you, and I mean honestly, and truly pray for their soul then you can know about gentleness and love. The trials we endure are Gods way to help us to grow. 

     Could you imagine a group of children that received everything they wanted, how they wanted it and just as soon as they asked for it? How about a group of children who never knew what it was like to be denied their hearts desire? These would be a group of the most spoiled, rotten, ungrateful, disrespectful, disobedient, unthankful children… oh, wait, that sounds like us sometimes. It could be, if given everything, every time without learning.

     When going thru a valley your soul will begin to grow. You will sweat and cry and deal with difficult times. Family, friends, church members, co-workers, financial, mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual; all these aspects of our life will be richly blessed when we put some work behind it. Put some blood, sweat, tears, prayer, and fasting into reaching your goal and watch your garden grow. 

     In the carnal as well as spiritual, exercise is hard on our body but rewarding if we push ourselves. The aches and pains are rewarded when we consistently work our muscles and get into shape. Junk food might taste good but is bad for you. Fast food might be easy but its not easy on your body. Real rewards come from real sacrifice. Eat healthy and exercise and you will be fit for the battle that lies ahead.