Sometimes it pays to ask directions. I read a humorous story the other day and thought I'd pass it along.

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper’s cemetery in the back country. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn’t stop for directions.
I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.
I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do, so I started to play.
The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I’ve never played before for this homeless man.
And as I played ‘Amazing Grace,’ the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.
As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, “I never seen nothin’ like that before and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years.”

Plain Living

 Have you ever spent time on a mountain, breathtaking isn't it? There is something very special about being above the tree line so to speak, a certain exhilaration in being able to look out and see for miles. It seems clearer, brighter, and quieter on the mountain.


The question is, are we made for mountain top living? We love it there, special things happen both in the spiritual and physical realm. We feel closer to God because we're on a higher plain and most of the things that so easily distract us are far below. We can take in the wonder and majesty of God's creation. It can be a time of thanksgiving and reflection, of wonder and awe and a time to draw near to the Creator of the world, but we must remember the mount is not meant to teach us anything, it's meant to make us something.
Moses saw the Burning Bush on Mt. Horeb, the Law was given on Mt. Sinai (Now the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. Exodus 24:16) and Jesus was killed on Golgotha. 

Many things happen on the peaks, some very good, some not so good. What's clear is the fact that we don't live our lives on the mountain. Hills and mountains are for inspiration, prayer, meditation and rest. 
Living takes place on the plains, in the valleys and through the desert. This is where we spend the majority of our time, dealing with ordinary stuff. All to often it's the mundane, trivial, challenging, hectic, tragic, boring and sometimes devastating things of life that consume so many hours of the day. This is where we prove our mettle, work out our salvation, use what we received on the mountain. It is in the desert where we learn to trust and obey God. It is in the valley where character is formed. (Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:1-4)                                        
 The moments we spend on the mountain tops are rare, precious and brief. Enjoy the experience while it lasts  because invariably it will end and it's back to the valley.
 "And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. (Deuteronomy 8:2) 

Neither did they say, 'Where is the LORD, Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, Who led us through the wilderness, Through a land of deserts and pits, Through a land of drought and the shadow of death, Through a land that no one crossed And where no one dwelt?' (Jeremiah 2:6)  

I guess the thing to remember is, the valley experience is a passage through... not a destination to....
"yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death"

We should never forget that the God of the mountain is the same as the God of the valley and He is more interested in our character than our comfort. As we study scripture it is evident that God uses both mountain tops and valleys to accomplish His purposes. 

On the mountain top you see Him as the God of all glory;
In the valley you see Him as the God of all comfort.
On the mountain top you see Him as the Lord who reigns;
In the valley you see Him as the Shepherd who walks beside you.
On the mountain top you see Him as the Judge of all the earth;
In the valley you see Him as the God of all mercies.
On the mountain top you see Him as the exalted King;
In the valley you see Him as the suffering servant.
On the mountain top you see Him as the Lord God omnipotent;
In the valley you see Him as your loving Heavenly Father.
___Roy Lessin
Ultimately, we must Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)