The Beauty of the Valley

Have you ever noticed how many significant moments in the Bible happen on mountaintops? Abraham obeys God’s command to bring Isaac up a mountain as a sacrifice and shows himself faithful (Genesis 22). Moses receives the ten commandments twice on a mountain, and God allows him to view the Promised Land from the top (Exodus 20).

Additionally, the prophet Elijah experiences God’s glory in the form of a whisper after resting in a mountain cave (1 Kings 19). Jesus resists Satan after 40 days in the wilderness when standing on a mountain (Matthew 4), and his transfiguration in front of Peter, John, and James occurs on a mountain (Matthew 17). These are only a few examples of the important moments recorded in Scripture that include mountains.

Annette Griffin writes, “From Genesis to Revelation, mountains play a significant role in the unfolding redemptive plan of our Creator. The events that occur on each of these mountains affirm God’s faithfulness, His sovereignty, and His all-surpassing power. But perhaps most vividly, these events reveal the stability and magnitude of God’s covenant-keeping power.”

For many, the imagery of mountaintops and mountain valleys helps us contextualize our Spiritual journeys. Mountain top highs often represent moments we feel closest to God, and valleys symbolize our distance. Like Much-Afraid in Hinds Feet on High Places, I too have prayed, “Oh, if only I could escape from this Valley of Humiliation altogether and go to the High Places . . .”

The difficulty with prioritizing mountaintops is that it’s impossible to remain at the top of a mountain peak. Life is often a journey of refining moments. Regardless of our goals or preferences, we will likely find ourselves in a valley we label transition, unknown, humiliation, fear, or distrust.

If we narrow our perspective to view a mountain valley through a negative lens, we may miss the beauty of what mountain valleys provide. Learning how mountains are formed reminded me that God’s provision is all around us, even when we step into difficult seasons of our journeys.

Whether by an earthquake or explosive lava, the formation of mountains develops under some of the most violent weather events. Yet mountains have practical significance in addition to their visual beauty.

Scientists explain mountain formation happens in one of three ways. First, volcanic mountains form when a tectonic plate is pushed above or beneath another, forcing lava to the surface. When the lava hardens, layers create mountains. Second, fold mountains form when two tectonic plates collide, and faults cause block mountains in the crust that allow rocks to move past each other.

Mountains crucially influence local and global climates. Depending on height and location, a mountain can have several biomes, such as tundra and forests near each other.

Fire and volcanic ash eruptions or earthquakes are not events we embrace, yet without the disruption and destruction they cause, mountains wouldn’t exist. This analogy holds true for my Spiritual journey, and there’s more I relate to with mountain peaks and valleys.

The tallest mountains store freshwater in ice form at their peaks during precipitations forming glaciers. When the caps of ice melt, they fill the rivers at the mountain base with fresh water. They also provide food, minerals, and medicinal products not found in other places. Beauty blooms in mountain valleys along with the provisions humans need to survive!

Consider Psalm 65:4-6, which says,

Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength. (NIV)

Whether we move from the peak to a mountain valley or hoover at the base, medicine, water, and nourishment offer a safe space to rest. Rather than associating the valleys in our journey as our darkest moments, what if we considered Much-Afraid’s observation of the valley when walking with the Shepherd? “‘I never knew before,’ said Much-Afraid suddenly, ‘that the Valley is such a beautiful place and so full of song.'”

In Psalm 65, the writer continues in verses 12-13:

The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing. (NIV)

I believe we will experience a deeper and fuller spiritual journey when we see the beauty in mountain valleys. Consider what would happen if we paused to look for God’s provision around us rather than rushing through challenges. How would your Spiritual journey shift if you embraced disruption with anticipation of what develops from necessary destruction? What would your relationship with God look like if you spent time embracing the provision and beauty of mountain valleys rather than only longing for mountaintops? Is it possible that, like Much-Afraid, you’re understanding of a valley could shift from darkness to delight?

Beth M. Walker is an author, speaker, and experienced digital marketer. Married to a football coach and raising two sons, she has waded through the challenges of balancing home life with the work she loves. One of Beth’s gifts is helping others discern their gifts and take them to the next level. With many years of expertise in writing and digital marketing, she has helped countless people identify their unique calling, thrive in their life purpose, and pursue their courageous next step vocationally. She blogs at BethMWalker.com.