We all know life is a series of ups and downs. Mountaintop. Valley. Plateau. Mountaintop. Valley. Plateau.
You get the point.
In all honesty, if it wasn’t for the valleys we wouldn’t learn to appreciate the mountain tops. And surprisingly, if wasn’t for the mountain tops we may not realize the need for the valley. Plateaus. Well, let’s just say that sometimes they are welcome respites, but not something to hang around in for very long.
Sunday was a mountain top. If you read this post, you know that for 17 weeks we were renovating our church building to give us more space. Sunday was our first time back in our own building. All I can say is
W-O-O-O-O-W!!!
The atmosphere was sort of electric. And believe it or not, everything went off without a hitch. No sound problem. No music problem. One Two slight Power Point errors. Sermon problems but we won’t go there! 
People excited to see the new place-most for the very first time. AND it rained! Significantly! That is the first one for us in about 2-3 months. Shoot, I have cut my grass more in the last 2 weeks than I have all summer. Bad part: it cuts into my riding time. 
One thing I/we (leadership & Worship Team) try to be very aware of is not to allow “building worship” to take hold. We are not interested in extravagant. Our renovation is simple and plain. We went for the “industrial look,” but even with that it is easy to be enamored with the building. I stressed very hard to myself, and then to the Worship Team, that all eyes need to be focused on Jesus. We sang two new songs: “10,000 Reasons” and “Facedown” . If those songs don’t get a person focused I am not sure what will. All in all the day went very well (that preacher might need some help though).
Now…for my point. After every Mountaintop comes a lull, even a valley. I don’t know if it will come immediately or sometime down the road after our Celebration (23rd). We have probably all been there one time or another. High leads to a low. In some cases, a high leads to a crash. Knowing it will come is half the battle. Being prepared spiritually is the real answer. Lots of prayer. Time alone with God. Reflection. Worship. Focus. I would appreciate your prayers for me on that end.
Have you ever experienced the Mountaintop to Valley syndrome? How did you do? How did you handle it? How can I pray for you? Never hurts to have others on your side doing battle with you.
And to go along with this post, here is a moldy oldy from back in the 80s.
Glad to hear that there was joy and celebration and appreciation. That is the best kind of news after such a long expectancy period. I will be praying for you this week. Blessings.
Thanks Daniel. You are right that is the best kind of news but will certainly appreciate your prayers.
Hi Bill,
In my mountaintop to valley experience I commit myself to God. I rebuke fear, and declare God to be my helper and my hope. If I need to do this throughout my day, I do, until I feel more at peace again. It’s my trust in God that causes me to let everything go and say, whatever comes God, I know that you are faithful and that you will help me. I may lose my house, I may experience trial but you are with me.
My valley was changed to a mountaintop today. I cried, I gave thanks to God. I saw the neighbor kids back in their yard. The family left for the weekend and I thought that they were making a run for it. Somehow, I believe that the dad is back at work up north, the mom is here, and the kids told me today they will start back to school here.
This mountaintop may flow down into a valley again, but right now I can only thank God for his mercies toward me. I’m just amazed at how good he is to me. It makes me want to weep and love him so for such goodness. I don’t cry easily. I was in my yard today crying and rejoicing. I was able to hug the kids.
My renters are here from Bermuda. A sweet 5 year old girl, a very nice 9 year old boy. Dad goes back home on Friday. Me, mom and the kids will spend the school year together.
Please pray for us. I will pray for you Bill.
I love the song ’10,000 Reasons’.
‘Your name is great, O God, and your goodness is kind. Bless the Lord, O my soul, worship his Holy Name’.
“Whatever comes I know you are with me.” That is the best view of all. Glad to hear your neighbors are better and pray the renters will be good ones. I do pray for you Linda.
I’m sure I’ve experienced it but I’ve been down in the valley so long that I’m worried about toxic Radon exposure. I’ll pray for you to have a high valley if it helps at all.
Your prayers will help.
Really timely word, I needed to read this. Thanks for posting it. Where I am makes a lot more sense when put in that perspective!
Glad my words could help Pete. It was good to hear from someone new. Not sure where you are but hope you will be experiencing God’s presence.
Thanks. I stumbled across your site using the “High Calling” app. Still not sure how I even found that
I’m glad you came by.
I’ve been in both spots. I feel somewhere in the middle right now.
Don’t you just hate that in between state? Unless it is a time for refreshment.
That’s where I think I am, Bill. I need a change from the ordinary and to get away rom it for a few days.
Come to Indiana! Free lodging.
but NOT this weekend- he will have a full house
Congrats on the new building my brother…I know God will continue to do mighty things through your whole church there.
Thanks Jay and praying it will be true.
It’s like the day after Christmas… Reality will set in, things will become the norm, but as you lead they will follow. Your perspective is spot on I think, Bill. It’s all about Him… everything else takes care of itself.
Glad to hear the good news, good for you guys. I’m praying for you and your church.
Great way to put it Floyd…like the day after Christmas. Or for some after the first of the year when the bills come in.
Thanks so much for praying for us.
I can’t remember who first said it but walking with God is a long obedience in the same direction. I am learning the longer I follow Christ that the most important thing to do is keep holding on despite the constantly changing seasons.
I know Eugene Peterson (author of The Message) wrote a book by that name. Good thing to do Eileen: hold on.
Getting up the next mountain is a lot easier if we do not lose our momentum passing through the valley.
I try my best to take those mountaintop experiences and use them to help me through the valleys. I’ve failed a couple of times. It wasn’t because the lessons learned on the mountain were insufficient… it’s more because I derailed from their course as I got turned around in the shadow of the valley.
Well said Dusty. It is when we get sidetracked and forget that the valley takes its toll on us.
From Sally:
Yes, Women of Faith events are those “mountain top” times for me. We prepared all year for that time away to focus on a fun time and how God would speak to us and now we are back in the “real world”. I think you are right, that if we recognize that up and down pattern and prepare for it we are wise to do so. Also the enemy of our souls can use that time to sneak in and plant his discontent ideas or pride issues or whatever our weakness is. We should be aware of his tactics.
Reviewing what we learned on the mountain top and trying to put it into practice should help. I will pray for you and ask you to pray for the women who attend WOF. Thanks for your efforts to “see Jesus and Jesus only”. Sally
I’m ashamed to admit that I prayed for you all the day or two you were gone and the day or two after you got back but have fallen down since then. I needed this reminder Sally. Thanks. You are certainly right about the enemy of our souls. Thanks for your encouraging spirit.
congrats on new building!
feel like i’m a plateau…need some inspiration…
Thanks Arny. Good to hear from you. Hope you are doing well. It will come.
I thought your fear of “building worship” is particularly wise. We’re so good at turning those blessings into idols.
I think the lulls are accentuated because of our idolatry. When we love success, those mountaintop moments can be sweet – but the crashing will come. When we have a heart of gratitude, I think that’s when the mountaintop moments stay sweet but the crashing is lessened.
You are so right Loren. We are real good into turning blessings into idols. Gratitude for what God has done sure lessens the crash.
So excited for you & your congregation! Soak up the excitement and use it to the fullest! I agree that we should not get sucked into building worship…but we can use the excitement to churn the waters! Get folks volunteering and serving! Use the excitement for the good of the church
Hoping to churn the waters Craig.
I’ve certainly experienced this. Recently, I returned from Guatemala where I definitely had a mountaintop experience. The return to normal hasn’t been awful, but it has been somewhat like entering the valley. Finding balance between these peaks and valleys is sometimes tough. I’m thankful for both the ups and downs.
That is exactly the type of situation I am talking about Jon.
I cannot wait to see the newly finished building. I know some people can easily worship the building, but I find that it’s just exciting to see what your congregation did together, now you have more room to expand youth areas, etc. Your hearts are still the same, the word hasn’t changed & you’ll have more room for visitors to experience the love of OVCF!
Can’t wait for you to see it since you and Michael saw it way back. It is going to be quite a ride I think.