In a world that often seeks to distract or lead us astray, let us take time today to reaffirm our commitment to the things of God. Spend a moment in prayer, asking for strength to persevere and for wisdom to discern what is truly valuable. As we do this, we not only secure our own hearts but also become beacons of light to others, sharing the steadfast love and grace that fill our lives.

What seeds are you currently planting/watering that have potential to bear spiritual fruit years from now?

Many sequoia trees stand at an elevation of over six thousand feet in fine and ashy soil, but they don't use their conditions as an excuse to stop growing. Despite what we might view as a poor environment, the sequoias never cease striving to touch the sky. I pray I can follow their example as I pursue the Lord, no matter what fires I encounter.

We can use the perspective gained while on the mountaintop to help us through the trials of the valley but the mountaintop is not where we live. Enjoy the mountaintop! Learn from it and appreciate the perspective it gives you, but remember it’s in the valley that we live and grow.

As we follow Jesus, putting in the work now and making the hard decisions to choose Him, we grow in our love for Him. When we reach eternity having lived in pursuit of pleasing Him, we have the joy of offering up our work, not as a means of salvation, but as a means of worship, at Jesus’s feet. The hard work now leads to greater joy later.