It is observed in the world all over that the place and time of origin of two movable objects notwithstanding; they usually arrive at different times, even at the same place.
I have seen people with similar family background, age group, education, sex, etc., having different experiences in life. Among other things, I have discovered that two people could be born the same day; yet, lead different manners and standards of life. And I learnt that in the 1940s, Nigeria and Malaysia had similar developmental experiences; but with very different development experiences today.
Without doubt, with same training, background, status; people could still end up at different heights in life. Some would definitely attribute such differing outcomes to luck, while a good some would call it fate or destiny; but I have come to discover something different, which the Holy Spirit of God shall be opening our eyes to today.
Life is a gift from God, which is held in trust by man, to be accounted for in the future. And similarly, leadership is both an opportunity and a gift from God, which is held in trust by man (you and I), which we are expected to account for later And in that understanding, we would match straight into our subject of discussion today – Valley Dwellers vs Mountain Climbers.
Valley Dwellers and Mountain Climbers are both action words and descriptions of people. As a description of people, it helps us to know the personality, passion, perspective, prospects of a people; and as an action word, it helps us to know their practices (what they do).
Valley Dwellers are the people, nations, tribes, parties, organizations, countries, etc., who settle at the land of convenience and comfort – a place where they just wait for eroded things to stick unto them. They are basically known as the eaters and consumers. And they are the ones who do not bring down the rain; nor do they see vision, and neither can they provide direction.
Actually, "Valley Dwellers" is a description of people (irrespective of their status, education and sex) and nations. The truth is, a lot of African nations are nothing but Valley Dwellers – as they are committed only to eating and consuming on a full-time basis: For while some European, Asian and American countries are preoccupied with envisioning new demands (products) to be responded to; new technological paths to follow; new political and economic systems to develop and deploy; we in Africa are busy waiting for them. And instead of us enjoying the best of God for the human race; we rely on the crumbs that drop from the tables (mountains) of those advancing (climbing) nations.
In Africa today, our institutions of higher learning are nothing but annexes (or shades) of the schools of the advancing nations: For why they are busy conducting researches, we are busy ordering (buying) their textbooks – no wonder our nations are still struggling in all sectors. The reason is not farfetched – no nation in the world will allow her currentlatest body of knowledge to be known by the “pesting” nations of the world. Hence, the libraries here in Africa are filled with books written during the great depressions of 1930s and some in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. At best, they send some of the unimportant books that are written recently here (with a tag "INTERNATIONAL EDITION").
Come to think of it; what do you call a nation, whose leaders (at the Federal, State and Local levels) travel to Germany, Spain and U.S for medical check-ups at regular intervals? Isn't such nation an eating and consuming nation? What would you call a nation that produces crude oil in large quantity and buys refined oil in large quantity? Isn't that an eating and consuming nation?
Enough of continental and national discuss: For every nation is a sum of its inhabitants. Hence, an eating and consuming nation is a people (individuals) with a consuming lifestyle and value. Thus, the fastest way to address the excessive consuming attitude of a nation is to transform the values of its people.
The other side of the coin are the Mountain-Climbers; a people in transit, always learning, always growing, always advancing. As you know friend, no lazy, purposeless and quitter could possibly venture into mountain climbing: For as that statement goes, mountain climbing is actually a venture. And since no one ventures into a venture without purpose and strong will. And mountain is actually a land of courage and commitment, only the determined few attempts to climb it.
Without controversy, water flows from the mountains to the valleys; hence, mountain climbers are the people or nations tha processes the gifts of God (natural resources, talents, etc.) into substances that are relevant for the survival of mankind. Putting it differently, mountain climbers are the people whose lives and works are channels for the delivery of VALUE to the consuming and eating people.
And apart from delivering water to the valleys, mountains are places of heights; hence, anyone on them stands the chance of gaining view into the future. Thus, mountain climbers are visionaries – a people with a view of the future. Thus, mountain climbers are not just deliverers of value; but they are VISIONARIES. They help the valley dwellers to have a clue into the future. But may I say here that the natural man is naturally self-centred; hence, every view they have into the future is usually kept as secret (confidential or classified) until they have taken full advantage of its opportunities.
In short, mountain climbers are processors of VALUES, VISIONARIES and PATHFINDERS. Thus, no man that wants to become great would ever settle down at the valleys; rather, he must join the few who are climbing the mountains of their professions and callings.
Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths" For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."
Isaiah 2:2-3
Friend, true leaders are mountain climbers and until a man or a nation becomes a mountain climber; in the time to come, he will lack followers. The point is this, soon, people shall no longer be comfortable in their lands of comfort (valleys) and they shall seek for true direction and wisdom from the mountain of the LORD; hence, only the true climbers of the mountains – only men and women who are always learning, always growing, always advancing that shall be commanding followers.
of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;
1 Chronicles 12:32
May I ask you SirMa, now that your heart is filled with great eagerness to be a leader; please, how much understanding do you posses about the times? Do you know what your family, church, relationship, organization, association, state, and country ought to do? For surely, it shall not be long when leadership responsibilities at the various levels and scopes shall only be for the responsible men and women – a people with understanding of times.
However, true understanding, which is an indispensable force for effective leadership is not available at the valleys, but on the mountains. And note, only the climbers have a progressive and transitive mindset; the dwellers are usually the come-to-stay people around us. Hence, you must shift your mind from a static mode to a dynamic mode; and be willing and quick to hear (learn), but slow to speak. (James 1:19)
Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. AND HE MOVED FROM THERE TO THE MOUNTAIN EAST OF BETHEL, AND HE PITCHED HIS TENT WITH BETHEL ON THE WEST….
Genesis 12:7-8
Mountain climbers are movers and not dwellers; and rather than building blocks, they use tents for easy relocation and advancement. May I ask, in your chosen field, are you a climber or a dweller? are you dwelling currently in tents or have you resolved to build with bricks, iron and wood? Are you at this current level to stay or to pass?
True leaders are climbers; as they keep seeking for fresh discoveries; fresh processes; fresh insights, etc. They are humble and resilient. True leaders are not consumers who wait to be fed, but people who serves others on their way up.
And seeing the multitudes (at the valley), He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
Matthew 5:1-2
And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power…
Mark 3:13-15
Friend, your zeal for the work of Christ on the earth notwithstanding, and it does not matter whether your passion is to become the greatest businessperson in your nation; you must become primarily, a climber. The twelve only got power to help others in their nation, after they had climbed the mountain.
Let your zeal for leadership always produce in you, an unquenchable thirst for understanding of time, which only the Spirit of God can guarantee. And yours sincerely, the only path unto sonship in the Kingdom of God on the earth is Jesus.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Romans 8:14
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Colossians 1:13-17
Friend, the way to the understanding of times like the children of Issachar, which is the bedrock for the effectiveness of your leadership is a Person; and only a close relationship with that Person can guarantee your effectiveness as a leader on the earth. The truth is, climbing is tedious and strength draining; hence, durability in it requires help from someone who had been there before. Jesus is the perfect model of God's leadership available for men to imitate. And really, anyone that follows Jesus truly, must be a climber: For Jesus is the perfect Climber we know!
