A Journey Through the Uplands

Ah, another spring week, another blizzard watch. The signs of spring are mixed this year. The blackbirds and robins have returned and the geese have departed, but snow, cold, and ice linger. My fruit tree tried to bloom, but the last storm killed off the blooms. I hope and pray that it kept some in reserve. Green grass abounds, but mostly under the snow. However, the uplands between the valleys often stays brown and winter-like much longer. Our journey through life is much like a trip between two valleys.

We like the times in the green pastures beside the still waters as we walk with our Lord in times of plenty and relative ease. However, to strengthen our faith the Lord leads us from one valley to another through the dry and windy uplands. We don't know at the start or middle of the journey how wide the land is between those valleys. The uplands may be so wide that a desert sojourn awaits us on the trip. We may also run into an oasis of rest as we look forward to the next valley of peace. Most of our requests and questions to our Lord relate in some way to: "How far is it to the next valley, sir?"

The trial of faith is never easy, especially when we cannot see the distance signs to the next valley. We look to our Lord, but He tells us to just keep walking with Him. The questioning of our Lord might produce an irritated response if He were like us. That question might be, "Am I not enough for you? I am here!" Jesus does ask us that question, but with the gentleness and love He is known for, and not the irritation we might display. No matter how dry the journey through the uplands, no matter how poorly we feel, or how wobbly our faith appears, how we answer that question tells much about our maturity in the Christian way. Is Jesus enough for us?

Well, yes He most certainly is, but sometimes I must remind myself of that and say it out loud for the Lord to hear. Especially during those times of wobbly faith and poor feeling, I must remind myself more than just daily that Jesus is all I need. Trust in Him!

Bucky