Our camp theme this year, “Hills and Valleys” was suggested by Stuart during last year’s DIT (Disciples In Training) meetings. Psalms 104:8 says, “The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them.” At camp last week the creek was babbling, the birds were singing, the flowers were out, the trees were a dozen shades of green.
Whether it’s the Hills and Valleys around Garwood or the Mountains in Colorado. Sometimes God’s creation demands us to stop and worship Him.
It’s a comforting thought, every hill, every valley, is created by God. And even more so when that thought is applied to the hills and valleys of life. We all have them. Rarely is life smooth and level.
When we were talking about using “Hills and Valleys” for our theme I thought of the old Tracy Dartt song. “God on the Mountain”
Life is easy, when you’re up on the mountain And you’ve got
peace of mind, like you’ve never known
But things change, when you’re down in the valley
Don’t lose faith, for your never alone
For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley
When things go wrong, he’ll make them right
And the God of the good times,is still God in the bad times
The God of the day, is still God in the night….
Life is easy, when you’re up on the mountain. And you’ve got peace of mind, like you’ve never known But things change, when you’re down in the valley Don’t lose faith, for your never alone
For the God on the mountain, is still God in the valley
When things go wrong, he’ll make them right
And the God of the good times,is still God in the bad times
The God of the day, is still God in the night….
Of course the DIT’s, my kids and just about everyone else
thought of the newer song “Hills and Valleys” by Tauren Wells.
I’ve walked among the shadows
You wiped my tears away
And I’ve felt the pain of heartbreak
And I’ve seen the brighter days
And I’ve prayed prayers to heaven from my lowest place
And I have held the blessings God, you give and take away
No matter what I have, Your grace is enough
No matter where I am, I’m standing in Your love
On the mountains, I will bow my life To the one who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there. When I’m standing on the mountain aft, didn’t get there on my own. When I’m walking
through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You’re God of the hills and valleys! Hills and Valleys! God of
the hills and valleys And I am not alone!
Both songs serve well as reminders that we are not alone. In the good times and bad, on the mountain or in the valley there is one who has promised to never leave or forsake.
“Nothing much grows on top of the mountains, most growth is in the valleys. However, the peaks in our lives allow us to refresh our vision of our destination.”
-Matt Bolen
Whether you’re thinking of our theme with a focus on God’s Creation or encouragement for the valleys of life our prayer is that this years camp will help you grow a little closer to Jesus.
