The Respite

I want to build a house up on this mountain
Way up high where the peaceful waters flow
To quench my thirsty soul
Up on the mountain

My faith is strengthened by all that I see
You make it easy for me to believe up on the mountain
Oh, up on the mountain

I would love to live up on this mountain
And keep the pain of living life so far away
But I know I can't stay
Up on the mountain

I said I'd go, Lord, wherever You lead
For where You are is where I most want to be
And I can tell we're headed for the valley
My faith is strengthened by all that I've seen
So Lord help me remember what You've shown me
Up on the mountain

You bring me up here on this mountain
For me to rest and learn and grow
I see the truth up on the mountain And I carry it to the world far below
So as I go down to the valley
Knowing that You will go with me
This is my prayer, Lord
Help me to remember what You've shown me
Up on the mountain
Up on the mountain

I cherish these times up on the mountain
But I can leave this place because I know
Someday You'll take me home to live forever
Up on the mountain

-Steven Curtis Chapman

This song has been stuck in my head for a while now. It often describes how I feel. Sometimes you just know when you're on a mountain peak. Everything seems to be peaceful and perfect. However, we are not necessarily meant to live at the top of the mountain. The valleys are meant to grow and mature us as Christians. I have noticed that when I am in a valley, more people tend to watch me than when I am at my very best. How we handle valleys is critical. This is a time when our actions can have the most influence over others.

And for a completely unrelated side note:
I dedicate this to Jesse