So many of us would prefer to live on top of the mountain, where it appears life is full of positive moments. Yet, we seem to find ourselves in constantly going through the disappointments of the valley. It seems no matter how much we try to escape from this place, we seem to end up back in these painful valleys. We do the work , we make progress scaling the mountain, or even believe with all the faith we have, but, to no avail.
The Valley of the Shadow of Death
Yet, when I review many biblical stories or other inspirational stories it seems most people are going through valley journeys. It’s just that some are very challenging and others reveal various mountain top experiences, right in the valley. Do you think it’s possible for us to take a different perspective on these valley experiences? Can being in the valley not be about walking through the shadow of death or strife? Is it possible for us to make the valley our home and reveal this space as the glory of the mountains? I believe we can.
False Perception
My calling has me living in the valley, meeting with people who are struggling through these shadows. I too wanted to get the hell out of this place. I initially envisioned myself visiting the valley to help, then returning to “my life” on top of the mountain. It seemed to me that people living there had it made and those of us in the valley were worse off. Then I realized I was idealizing stories of people living “on top” and demonized those of us living here in the valley. I took a metaphor living in the valley of the shadow of death and made it represent reality.