Many times in our lives we find ourselves in the valley. Sometimes, it is the valley of pain or the valley of unpleasant circumstances or the valley of a great crisis in our lives. It is difficult to understand why we have to go through these valleys so often in our lives. We know that life is full of valley experiences yet it is hard for us to accept that reality. We want our lives to be free from pain, both physical and emotional, but we understand the stark reality that life has its valleys.
Perhaps you are going through a valley right now. May I suggest to you that the valley you are going through can be considered a “valley of vision”?
It is in the valleys that we gain more insight into the character and nature of God. It is in the valleys that we begin to see more clearly the things that are most important to God and what should be most important to us. And, it is in the valleys and the depths of life that we gain a greater perspective of God’s desire for a deeper, more intimate relationship with us.
The Puritans had the following perspective about valleys.
Lord, high and holy, yet, meek and lowly,
You have brought me to the valley of vision,
Where I live in the depths but I can see You in the heights;
Hemmed in by mountains of sin, I behold Your glory.
Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
Let me find Your light in my darkness,
Let me find Your life in my death,
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow,
Let me find Your grace in my sin,
Let me find Your riches in my poverty, and
Let me find Your glory in my valley.
(Adapted and edited from: The Valley of Vision, A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions)
