Psalm 23:1-4The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.He makes me lie down in green pastures,He leads me beside quiet waters,He restores my soul.He guides me in paths of righteousnessFor his name's sake.Even though I walkThrough the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil,For you are with me;Many people speak of "the mountaintop" as a desirable place to be while considering "the valley" a place to be avoided. Even this most familiar of Psalms reinforces that idea with the well-known line regarding the valley of the shadow of death. When we are in a valley, our view of surroundings is limited and our ability to scout the terrain ahead is diminished. A valley can certainly be a frightening and difficult place. From a mountaintop, on the other hand, we can view surroundings for miles around and do our best to choose a safe path to travel. This is how things appear, anyway.In my short years I have not learned nearly enough, but I have learned a couple of things about mountaintops and valleys. First, mountaintops are great! I love the challenge of reaching the top, the exhilaration of being there, the fresh air and the incredible view. But second, staying too long on a mountaintop can be dangerous. On our honeymoon my wife and I visited Pikes Peak in Colorado. When we arrived at the top, the day was clear and sunny. By the time we were ready to leave, a snowstorm had started. We drove down the steep and winding road in limited visibility and slippery conditions. We stayed on the mountaintop too long. Finally, mountaintops are generally lonely. The higher the mountaintop, the less likely you are to find anything growing there, let alone another person.This leads me to what I’ve learned about valleys. I lived in Oregon for four years, just 20 miles from Mount Hood, an 11,000 foot peak in the Cascade range. I was never to the top of Mt. Hood, but I didn’t need to get up there to know that it would have been impressive, dangerous, (snow-capped year round) and very lonely. But what I remember about Oregon even more than Mt. Hood is the valleys that surround the mountain. The valleys of that region are some of the most productive ground in the nation for growing apples, pears, and cherries. When you drive the narrow twisting highways of the Columbia Gorge around Mt. Hood, you are constantly driving through fruit orchards. Generally, you can’t see for more than 50 feet in any direction because of the thickness of the trees and the curves of the road. It’s beautiful! The amount of growth that takes place in those valleys is awesome! And then, every few miles you happen into a small town, a hamlet in a valley where a few hundred people have gathered and formed a community. The mountaintop is impressive, a nice place to visit. Be careful though, because it is a dangerous and lonely place to try and live. Valleys can be difficult and far less impressive, but that’s where the growth is, and that’s where the relationships are. David didn’t fear the valleys, even the valley of the shadow of death, because he knew that God was there to guide him through. As our shepherd, God leads us to valleys where the good grass and the streams of water and the other sheep are.Go up on the mountaintop and get a good look around, appreciate the excitement, the breath of fresh air, even the solitude. Then come back refreshed to live in the valley, with the Lord as your shepherd to guide you along.