About Mountain/Valley

What inspired you to create Mountain/Valley, and how did the name come about?

Mountain/Valley was born out of a deep love for writing about God. For years, I’ve written poems, songs, and journal entries reflecting on my walk with Him, but I rarely shared them beyond a close circle. I don’t claim to be an expert in theology or language, nor do I see my writings as groundbreaking in theological insight. However, after much prayer and contemplation, I felt a strong calling to share these reflections with a broader audience. This led to the creation of the blog, Mountain/Valley.

The name Mountain/Valley carries a layered meaning. As humans, we are constantly being shaped—whether by our faith, our experiences, or even societal influences. While the world may champion autonomy, even that pursuit forms us in certain ways.

In my journey, I’ve found that God reveals Himself both in life’s monumental “mountains” and in the shadowy “valleys” of hardship. On the mountains, He invites us to celebrate and see His glory; in the valleys, He invites us to share in His suffering and experience His comfort. Through these highs and lows, He continually shapes us into His image. Over time, we begin to see how these moments, both joyful and painful, contribute to our formation as His children.

Mountain/Valley reflects this truth: that life’s peaks and valleys are tools God uses to transform us into who He created us to be.

What themes or topics are at the core of your writing and content creation?

At the heart of my writing is an aching desire to know myself more deeply by knowing more about God. For years, I held a mental image of who I was—and, for the longest time, that image closely mirrored how I saw God. Like many, I struggled with the human tendency to shape God in my image, limiting Him to fit my perspective. The moment we recognize this, we begin to grasp His true glory and majesty and see how small and selfish we are to make Him less than He is.

This journey of unlearning and re-learning is a central theme in all my work. As I continue writing, I plan to explore more specific topics, but everything will always come back to this foundational pursuit: knowing God more.

How does the imagery of mountains and valleys reflect your vision for this project?

Mountains and valleys appear repeatedly throughout the Bible, often as places where God reveals Himself in profound ways. I think of Moses encountering God’s glory on Mount Sinai and Ezekiel obeying God’s command to prophesy over the valley of dry bones. In both cases, unique aspects of God’s character and power were unveiled—but only because Moses and Ezekiel were attentive and seeking Him.

These examples remind us of the importance of seeking God, no matter where we find ourselves. Whether we’re on the mountaintop of triumph or in the valley of desolation, He is there, revealing Himself to those who look and listen. This truth is central to the vision of Mountain/Valley: to encourage others to see God in every season and circumstance of life.

Who is your intended audience, and what do you hope they take away from your posts?

My intended audience includes anyone who has pursued the idols and societal callings of this world, only to find them shallow and unfulfilling. It’s for those who sense there must be more than what this life offers. Mountain/Valley is also for lifelong Christians who, like me, are realizing that the God they’ve known may be more a product of their imagination than the living reality of who He truly is.

I hope my readers find comfort in knowing they are not alone in their struggles and questions. My prayer is that each post awakens an excitement for who God is, what He has done, and who He says they are. It has taken me a long time to begin understanding that professing Christianity and living out its meaning are two very different things.

I love The Father, but what continues to astound me is that He loves me, too. Despite knowing the full depth of my transgressions, He still calls me His beloved. He is the most fascinating and incomprehensible reality I’ve ever encountered. Through my writing, I share glimpses of Him as I’ve experienced Him, believing that others might resonate with these revelations. For those who have struggled to articulate what God is teaching them, I hope my words serve as a starting point. By sharing my thoughts and testimonies, I pray to encourage others to reflect on and share their own journeys of faith.

How do your own experiences influence the stories and reflections you share?

My stories and reflections come directly from my own experiences. As I write, my goal is to share these moments as clearly as possible, so readers can walk away with a deeper understanding of who God is.

I also keep my own learning style in mind. Sometimes I can read something and immediately grasp its meaning. Other times, I need it reframed as a metaphor or expressed more poetically before it truly clicks. I try to reflect this in my writing, offering a mix of straightforward insights and more nuanced, creative expressions to connect with readers in different ways.

What role does your faith play in shaping the direction of Mountain/Valley?

My faith shapes everything about Mountain/Valley. I trust that God will use this blog however He sees fit. I’ve never had aspirations to be an influencer or follow trends—I simply want to talk about God. Honestly, if I didn’t feel called to start this blog, I wouldn’t have done it at all.

I’m confident that my purpose here is to glorify Him. Whether or not these words ever help anyone else, they are already helping me. As I write, The Father reveals parts of me I didn’t know were there—both good and bad. I have faith that, with God, nothing is wasted. Even if I am the only one who benefits from this work, that’s enough for me, as long as He is magnified through it all.

How do you balance personal vulnerability with the broader goal of pointing others to God?

I believe vulnerability is the starting point for pointing others to God. It’s easy to declare God’s goodness when you’re standing on the summit, but it’s much harder—and more meaningful—to share that truth with someone who is in the valley. To do that, you have to meet people where they are, acknowledging their struggles and showing them that you’ve been there too.

I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I am willing to share my journey honestly and to listen. Vulnerability creates space for connection and opens the door for others to see God’s grace at work in real, imperfect lives. That’s where transformation begins.

What is one message or truth you hope to communicate through this project?

Seek Him, and you will find Him. This truth has been evident in my life and is central to everything I write. It’s also why I often use imagery from nature when describing God. Every leaf, grain of sand, star in the sky—every part of creation points to Him. If you look for Him on the mountain, He is there. If you search for Him in the darkness, He will meet you there, too.

In our world, dominated by social media and screens, it feels like we rarely take the time to notice nature anymore. The irony isn’t lost on me that many people will read these posts on their phones. That’s why I incorporate images and symbolism from nature—to redirect readers’ minds toward creation and encourage them to seek God in it. When we stop to look, we’ll find He’s been there all along.

How do you envision Mountain/Valley evolving in the future, both as a blog and on Social Media?

I’m still discovering where this journey will lead, but I know there are others out there with stories and experiences similar to mine. In the future, I’d love to collaborate with like-minded individuals—whether through written contributions, guest posts, or even a spoken format like a podcast.

For now, my focus is on nurturing what God has already entrusted to me. As He continues to lead, I will follow. Whatever direction Mountain/Valley takes, I’m committed to ensuring that every step is aligned with His will. My prayer is that this project will always point others to God, no matter how it evolves.

What advice would you give someone seeking growth in their own spiritual journey through life’s peaks and valleys?

Keep seeking Him! We all have a responsibility to grow in our knowledge of God and deepen our relationship with Him. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or a church service—He’s with you in every breath and heartbeat, longing to be in relationship with you.

Don’t be afraid of your questions or doubts. God isn’t. If you have questions, pursue answers. Read the Bible. Explore books that help paint a clearer picture of who He is. Listen to music—God has spoken to me through songs more times than I can count.

But if you’re already doing all of this, maybe the next step is to stop. Silence the noise, put your phone down, and simply listen. Go outside and look at His creation. Seek Him there. He’s not hiding; we just need to start looking.