General Stuff

Hills and valleys

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I think it’s odd how many times writers and pastors and teachers will remind us that just because we’re following Jesus, we’re not guaranteed an easy life.

Why do they have to say it so often? Because we so easily fall into the trap that following Jesus is supposed to be carefree.

I love the way the Bible describes the promised land to the Israelites.

“Rather, the land you will soon take over is a land of hills and valleys with plenty of rain— a land that the Lord your God cares for. He watches over it through each season of the year!” (‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭11:11-12‬ ‭NLT‬‬, emphasis mine)

Hills and valleys were part of the promise, but so was the truth that the Lord would be watching over it all.

That’s the truth that we need to be reminded of. God is watching over all of it — the ups and downs, the pleasant and the unpleasant. Whether Peter was walking on the water or sinking into it, Jesus was there, and He was Lord over it.

Hills and valleys. The life of the believer includes them both and God watches over us through all of it.

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May 23, 2021by Paul Jenkins
Written by Paul Jenkins
Paul Jenkins is lead pastor of The Gathering, a community church located in beautiful downtown Albemarle, North Carolina. He's the author of God is My Air Traffic Controller and My Name's Not Lou. Paul is passionate about his wife, his 3 children, running, reading, coaching, leading people who are following Jesus, Swedish Fish and the Carolina Panthers.