One day last week as I was coming in to work, I passed a Life Coach in a deep conversation with a program participant. I sensed that there was a deep and important issue being discussed, and by their demeanor the subject was more in the lines of a struggle rather than a mountaintop experience. I went into my office and began to pray for them. I then remembered a matter that came before our Elder Board at my church the night before and how deeply troubling this is for all the families and church leadership involved, and I prayed. I thought about a situation I encountered at the Women’s Campus just the day before where the case managers are dealing with a mentally ill woman, attempting to balance her safety and desires with the needs of the entire campus (and how many times this is done daily on both campuses). I then thought of and prayed for several of our employees who were or are in the hospital and dealing with serious medical issues for themselves or a family member. I prayed for a dear family friend who has been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. I thought of so many who have lost loved ones, from parents to cousins to children and prayed for them in their grief and heartbreak.

As I prayed, I realized that this is what Oswald Chambers meant in the My Utmost for His Highest October 2 reading:

 “After every time of exaltation, we are brought down with a sudden rush into things as they really are, where it is neither beautiful, poetic, nor thrilling. The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mountain, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God— that is where our faithfulness is revealed.”

I had originally labeled this Chaplain’s Corner “Valleys” because of Chambers’ reference to valleys, but that brings to mind rivers and trees and green lush land. I realized that the better label would be “Trenches” because that brings to mind warfare. These situations are where the battlefield of God and Satan play out, and where we are called to walk together faithfully during the everyday battles.

I’m thankful that Jesus is our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I’m thankful for the Holy Spirit who resides within us, and all we have to do is call out to him. I’m thankful for my church family, and I’m so very thankful for each of you. We are blessed to work in a place where we can corporately and individually call upon Jesus anytime, where we can stop and pray for each other anytime. This is a definitely a place where we get to see transformation and mountaintops, but it’s even more a place where we fight it out together in the trenches every day. Jesus said it wouldn’t be easy, and if there is anywhere I want to be living out life together in the trenches, it is here with each of you. May God bless you.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalms 23:4 NIV).

 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13 NIV).

 

Cry Out to Jesus (Third Day)

 

To everyone who’s lost someone they love

Long before it was their time

You feel like the days you had were not enough

When you said goodbye

 

And to all of the people with burdens and pains

Keeping you back from your life

You believe that there’s nothing and there is no one

Who can make it right

 

For the marriage that’s struggling just to hang on

They’ve lost all of their faith in love

And they’ve done all they can to make it right again, still it’s not enough

 

For the ones who can’t break the addictions and chains

You try to give up but you come back again

Just remember that you’re not alone in your shame

And your suffering

 

When you’re lonely

And it feels like the whole world is falling on you

You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus

Cry to Jesus

 

To the widow who suffers from being alone

Wiping the tears from her eyes

And for the children around the world without a home

Say a prayer tonight

 

There is hope for the helpless

Rest for the weary

And love for the broken heart

And there is grace and forgiveness

Mercy and healing

He’ll meet you wherever you are

Cry out to Jesus.