A Walk Thru the Valley

Our family is taking a vacation in the mountains this year since we did the beach last year. It is beautiful and majestic. When I have read the scriptures about going through a valley, for some reason I always envision the wide open plains, just below the mountain range much like the picture here. It wasn't until we travelled across Texas thru New Mexico by car that I realized the variety of valleys. Valleys are simply the places that rest at the base of the mountain ranges. It got me to thinking about the different types of valleys we walk through when we walk with God.

The FOREVER VALLEYS: They are deep and wide. Our destination on the other side seems to be a daunting task...nearly impossible. Sometimes we see the mountains so far off it seems impossible to get over there. The vastness of the valley before you is overwhelming and intimidating. There are so many different ways to go, there are plenty of obstacles, exhaustion already sets in simply at the thought of getting to the other side. Even as we begin the journey and stand in the middle, the supreme size of the distance yet to be travelled calls for a miracle. I miracle of patience and endurance and strength. Courage to continue forward not knowing exactly how much longer it will take, not knowing what risk we may encounter on the walk about. It would seem like a miracle to make it to the other side of this valley.

The STRAIGHT & NARROW VALLEY: Unlike the Forever Valley, this narrow valley doesn't offer you much in options. You are headed only one of two ways. There are no shortcuts either because as you look to your left and your right, the massive, rocky structure is too steep to possibly attempt to climb. There is not a lot of danger-you can see where you are headed, it is just a matter of enduring the walk. Beware however, a loose boulder may stumble on your path and you may endure a delay. Fortunately, it is small compared to the mountain and much easier to get past.

Then you have the WINDING & NARROW VALLEY: This valley may be the most exhausting, most frightening and most laborious to travel. See, with the other two valleys, you can see where you are headed, obstacles can be seen most of the time, in advance, and you have a visual on your destination. A winding, twisting and turning valley is full of unknowns and that alone can be terrifying in and of itself for a person to turn back and refuse to take a path of less resistance. With each turn there is a new set of

obstacles, new terrain, new hazards but at the same time, there may be a bridge over an extremely rocky path. A new facet is exposed at each turn and it may may the walk a little easier or it may be very difficult and scary as you round each corner. All this and no destination in sight until you have arrived! You are walking solely by faith, fully aware, in the moment, prepared and equipped for anything that comes your way. This valley is equally as frightening as it is thrilling.

The times in my life where I seem to grow the most is when I am getting through a valley. No matter what type of valley you are walking through to get to your mountaintop, you will need patience, endurance, confidence, courage, faith, trust, hope and joy. If you loose your joy, you loose hope, and if you loose hope, you loose everything else.

No matter what you are facing, equip yourself. First with your armor (Ephesians), salvation being the foundation of your faith, then with truth:

God is Who He says He is-

God can do what He says He can do-

I am who God says I am-

I can do all things through Christ-

God's Word is alive and active in me!

YOU HAVE TO TRUST HIM!!!! You will never trust yourself or someone else to be strong enough to carry you across your valley! You may not ever feel that you can do what is before you, the mountain you need to climb may take a while and yes, it may be difficult and it may be deep and wide, but you will get to the other side. He is faithful to work out all things to His glory and your good (Romans 8:28). But you have to TRUST HIM!!!! Then, at your point of surrender, He will bless you and equip you in the way only HE can, by GRACE, MERCY and LOVE!

GOD LOVES YOU and HE IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY and TOMORROW!!!! He is the unmovable and unshakable Rock who holds EVERYTHING in the Palm of His hands. AMEN!!!

KEEP WALKING...the other side is AWESOME!!!

It will be an adventure to remember!!