Peaks and Valleys vs. The Battle Field

I started the summer with “A Divided Heart” and highlighted the “Million Ways to Love” in my last post. As we transition from summer to fall, attempt to pivot repeatedly with the uncertainty of COVID-19, and remain persistent in our fight for justice, I’ve continued to think about my approach to challenging seasons.

I grew up believing life was about peaks and valleys … extremely hard times where we endure and persevere and push through. These times are followed by victorious peaks, where we celebrate, seek respite, and restore normalcy. But this summer has taught me life can be less about peaks and valleys and more like living on the battlefield. This battlefield is the place where we war against hopelessness; against blurred or misplaced vision; against selfishness; against pride; against yielding to an overindulgence in pleasure that yields no fruit; against our hearts being overtaken by temporary happiness. Like any battlefield, we are not in or at war 100% of the time. We take rest on the sidelines. We replenish our armor. We reload our artillery. We rotate positions. We adjust our strategy as the opposition shifts. 

This summer I learned about living on the battlefield. I learned to take the breaks offered to me to replenish, reload, and strategize. I leaned in to best practices for winning the war on as many levels as possible. And I prepared to successfully defeat my enemies against a range of battles, taking them out for once and for all. 

Perhaps the peaks and valleys analogy works for you. Maybe it is comforting to know whatever you are facing now will end and you will “come up out” of the valley and settle in on the mountaintop. But having this mentality crushed me; it led me waiting impatiently and earnestly for quick changes so I could get back to my mountaintop. If I think about life on the battlefield, I know my life will be one where I get to engage in battle for the Lord. I get to fight in many wars not only for myself, but for others. Yes, I take a break, I replenish, I rest. But instead of retreating to the mountaintop to look on others who suffer. I remain on the battlefield, taking up my cross and walking alongside others as they do the same. 

Helpful Resources 

1. Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
2. Rooted Bible Study
3. Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer