Mission Peru

by Gregg Wartman
Glengate Alliance Church

Why do we sometimes feel we need to climb mountains to feel the presence of God?  Does he not live in the valleys as well?  Does he not live in our communities, our neighborhoods?  Does he not live with our families, in our children?  Do we not seem him in each other?

I hear him in the wind on this mountain top.  I see him in the sand and rocks of this place.  I feel him in the sun.  I have heard him in the piles of files in the dump.  I have seen him in the eyes of the old woman who has faith in him while she toils through filth.

Why do we need to climb mountains to feel close to him?  He dwells in the valleys.  He dwells in those who live in the valleys, even those who live in a garbage dump.  He dwells in our valleys.

You, God, are there on top of the mountain, and in the depths of the valley, whether or not we feel you, you are always there.  When we do feel you Lord we thank you for your touch, for your whispers of truth.  We hold steadfast for the next time we meet you, feel your presence; even if these experiences are few and far between.  We will work to come to those places where we will find you.

Lord give us mountains to climb and valleys to struggle through while on our journey to find you.  You are always there; help us to remember; help us to feel.