A Thrill of Hope in the Valley

Christmas is here and we all love this time of year. Family and friends exchanging gifts and well-wishes, it is a “feel good” time. While all of that is true for most of us, for some, it’s a tough time of year. I mean, we all love the mountain top experience with God but what about the valley moments? It’s difficult to sense God’s presence when you are in the valley of your story. Some of us are dealing with the finality of a divorce or the news you can’t get pregnant or the news that the cancer is back. Many of us deal with a dark moment in our story that’s relieved every December, usually the death of a loved one.

The thing is while we may enjoy God on the mountain, we get to know God intimately in the valley. Psalm 84:5-7 reveals pilgrims ascending up to Jerusalem through the Valley of Baca. Baca in Hebrew means “weeping, loss, tears”. See, in the valley, one has to deal with thorns, wild animals and bandits. The valley gives a picture of difficulty. But verse 5 reminds us, “What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord.”

Here in America, we idolize independence. We love saying the phrases, “I don’t need any help.” or “I can do this on my own.” But the text doesn’t say, “blessed are those who can pull themselves up by their own boot straps.” No…as Jesus-followers, we have access to supernatural power. For all who believe in the baby born and placed in a manger, there is bigger power that will get you through your valley.

One way to focus on getting through your valley is Paul’s reminders in Colossians 3:1-2 and Philippians 4:8. What you think about matters. So, according to Paul, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

So, your heart may be racing but your mind is on Jesus. Your soul may be aching but your mind is on our Savior. Your emotions may be many but your mind is on Immanuel (Matthew 1:23). Greater is the one in me than the one in the world. My God is going before me to prepare a place for me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am more than a conqueror. I may be in the valley but my mind is set on Jesus.

So this holiday season, you may find yourself working through a difficult relationship, health news that wasn’t that great, the loss of someone who meant so much to you, a dark cloud of depression or loneliness. Remember if you know Jesus, he’s with you in that valley. He’ll never leave you. He’ll always be with you. He is Immanuel, God is with us. Blessings on your journey.

Immanuel

Have you ever given a gift that was not received like you thought it would be? You had a purpose for the gift but the one to whom you gave it saw it differently or had a different experience than you’d hoped. I once received a remote control airplane from an uncle but try as I might, that thing never flew. The gift was given with one expectation which was not realized by me.

When Jesus came to earth as a little baby, it was a gift with purpose from the Father but we, his creation, never saw the gift in the way he wanted. The expected Messiah was not met with fanfare and glory but was simply born in a barn. The Christmas story that we’ve heard so often had an incredible story line. A baby boy was born to two peasant Israelites. The teenage mom, pregnant before marriage, had a very short engagement. The explanation of how she was pregnant seemed so unbelievable. The only visitors on the night of birth were smelly shepherds who had an unimaginable story of how angelic hosts told them to go worship the new king.

But what does the story of Jesus’ birth mean to us? His name, Immanuel, literally means God is with us. How comforting. How warm. How beautiful. We have a Savior who understands our trouble and our life. He’s been there and experienced all the life has to offer us. He is God among us. He’s made some important promises to us and we serve a God who keeps promises!

In Matthew 28, Jesus promises he’ll always be with us. God told us in Hebrews 13, He’ll never leave us nor forsake us. John tells us in John 1, Jesus became flesh and moved into our neighborhood. Jesus is with you. He knows you by name. He wants to journey with you.

Sadly, some don’t believe God’s promise. There are things in their life that veil this truth. Maybe it because you did what you were supposed to and got that degree, put your resume out there, networked but you still have no job. It could be you stayed pure until marriage but there is still no baby crying down the hallway. It’s possible you will go home alone tonight because Mr. or Mrs. Right has not appeared on your horizon. You sit in an office and the doctor tells you the cancer has returned. More than likely, you still bear the shame and guilt of past mistakes because you have not yet laid them at Jesus’ feet.

Whatever the veil, however you have taken the story, no matter what other people tell you, you have a Savior named Jesus who wants to have a relationship with you! You have a God who left the glory of heaven to live and die on this earth so that he could be with you. Jesus has given you the greatest Christmas gift of all time. He’s given you hope, love, forgiveness, grace and mercy. He loves you. Don’t wait to unwrap him. He’s waiting for you with open arms. Jesus is the reason for the season. So embrace Immanuel…He is Jesus…He is God with you. Blessings on your journey.

Looking Up

Have you have been in a situation where you needed help? Many times while playing high school football and after a huge tackle, team mates would see me on the ground, put their hand out and help me up. No doubt, you’ve had lots of moments like that when people helped you as you looked up to them.

In 2010, 33 Chilean miners were trapped in a collapsed mine. They were 2300 feet down and their only hope was far above them. Sure enough, 17 days later, one by one those who were on top pulled 33 miners to safety. Below, they had looked up for hope and help. Now, help came from above.

You know that’s where we were in our sin. We were hopeless. We needed help and our help, our salvation came from above. God Most High made a decision to leave the glory of heaven, put skin on and come to earth. The name God Most High reminds us of God’s greatness and majesty. He is the best, mightiest, most powerful, first and the last, all-knowing, and everlasting Savior.

Jesus left the rights and privileges he had in heaven for the silence of his arrival and humble living of earth. He was God Most High but was born into a peasant family, in a barn, and placed in a feeding trough. Jesus did that for you and for me.

Only 3 miles from where he was born in Bethlehem, was the palace of King Herod in Jerusalem. His palace set high on a hill. The palace itself sat on 45 acres and was 90 feet tall. The grounds surrounding the palace were 200 acres of gardens and swimming pools. If he had stood on his balcony that night, he could have looked to Bethlehem to see where the King of kings was born.

And because we see how humble Jesus was in his coming, we are reminded as his followers we too are called to live out that humble lifestyle. Paul reminds us of just how humble in Philippians 2:3-11. Paul says, “We MUST have the same attitude of Jesus.” It’s an imperative, not an option.

What a gift, the best gift we’ll ever get, in Jesus Christ. He is the Name above all names. He is God Most High. He is our Savior for the ages. As we realize what we have in Jesus, it reminds us of how we are called to live as we follow him. We look to him for our hope and our example.

Two challenges this holiday season (and beyond). Respond to God Most High every day with heart-felt worship. Jesus’ Name should be on our lips and tongue every day, giving him praise and thanks for his gift of love to us. And also, live out the Christmas story through humble service to others. Whether it’s your spouse, your kids, your co-workers, the folks you are standing in line with, your brothers and sisters at your local church…wherever you find yourself, treat others like Jesus has treated you. Blessings on your journey.