My son goes to college in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  In order to get there we have to drive over the mountain.  On both sides of the mountain are valleys.  We spend more time in the valley than we do on the mountain.

I was reminded this morning in the story of the widow at Nain, that pain and suffering are pervasive in this life.  I know this comes as no news to most people.  However, we often think about our Christian life as reaching the top of a mountain.  We create our own little mountain of success and we think that the peak of the mountain is the place to be. More often than not people are in the valley rather than at the top of the mountain.

In a Friday morning men’s Bible study that I lead, we are reading a book called Mighty to Save, by Richard Phillips.  In it he writes concerning this story in Luke 7:11-17, “One thing you will notice if you study the Bible is that there is a great deal of weeping going on…With few exceptions all the major figures of the Bible are seen weeping, and in all sorts of situations.”  The truth about life is that sin has caused a great deal of pain, heartache, suffering and ultimately death.  Like the widow of Nain who had previously lost her husband now she has lost her only son.  She is in a desperate and confusing state.  All her earthly hope is gone, it has literally died.  But approaching her is Jesus, who can not only bring hope but life to her situation. The text tells us that “Jesus saw her and had compassion on her” (v.13).  Jesus “sees” the agonizing situation of this woman and walks into the valley with her.  Jesus then literally speaks life back into her son and raises him from the dead.  The woman now has hope and has been given her life back.  Jesus, who is the life and the resurrection, has the power and authority over death.  Jesus, our Savior, empathizes with us, and He walks through the darkest valleys with His people.

There is nothing wrong with looking forward to the mountain top.  Joy and hope and encouragement should always characterize us.  But we have to realize that most of life is lived in the valley.  Yes, one Day all things will be made new; no more tears, no more suffering, no more death.  But for now, we face those trials with the presence of Christ.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  Psalm 23:1

May we walk confidently through the valley, knowing Christ is at our side and may we go into the valley with others showing them the hope and life that is found in Christ.

All for Jesus,

Fletch

The Single most important discipline in your life is prayer and Bible study.  Wait, I thought you said the single most important.  I did, they both go together like peanut butter and jelly.  You need to be prayerfully reading the Bible everyday of your life.  Nothing will impact your life more than this one discipline.  Eating healthy, exercising, building material wealth, watching less tv, reading Christian books nor anything else will impact your life the way praying and reading your Bible everyday will impact it.  This one discipline will impact every relationship  you have or want to have, every conversation you are in, every thought that you have, every action that you take.  Reading your Bible and praying will impact your attitude and outlook on life more than anything else.  It’s that powerful.

Even more than all of these, praying and reading your Bible everyday will put you in conversation with the God of the universe.  We were created by God and for God, our lives are to be lived in a moment by moment rhythm of worshiping this Holy God through Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit.  Praying and reading your Bible everyday will give you the perspective on life that you were created to have.  A God-centered, Christ-exalting perspective that leaves no room for self.

The discipline is simple but excruciatingly difficult.  I have been in full time Christian ministry for twenty years and I still struggle with this discipline.  I believe it is difficult for three main reasons.  The first is that I am selfish and do not want to give up any of my time to be with God, even though I know it is the most important time spent with the most important person in my life.  Secondly, my faith is weak and does not fully believe that time spent in prayer and Bible study really makes a difference in my life, my work and the world around me.  Thirdly, Satan knows that it is the single most important discipline I need to have and so he tries to thwart it every day.

I suggest that you do whatever it takes to develop this discipline in your life.  All you need is a Bible and a relatively quiet place to be alone with God.  I am not even going to suggest that you read a devotional book to start (even though I have written some).  Just grab your Bible, open up to one of the gospels, and read.  As you read prayerfully ask God to speak to you, and to just be with you.  Think deeply about the words you are reading and ask God to use those words to transform your heart and mind.  You could do it for five minutes or fifty-five minutes.  Just start the process of developing this discipline of praying and reading your Bible every day.  It is the single most important discipline. You have to master this discipline of daily prayer and Bible Study.