Valley Victories
Photo by Elisa Stone on Unsplash
Happy Holy Week! A Soror of mine named Kamala and I lovingly joke and remind ourselves that this week and all its activities are the NBA All Star Weekend of Christianity. I hope that you are both excited about this sacred time to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ and prayerfully pacing yourself so that you may endure. I learned of an additional service, bringing the number of times I will travel to the Chapel up to 5 for the week. Sidebar: Is the church providing mileage? Okay, let me pull back. See, this is precisely why Jesus went to the cross, to mitigate foolishness like mine. :) But in all seriousness, it is our “mess” that affirmed Christ’s intentionality to die a death that was not warranted for Him. To God be the Glory! Yesterday morning as I pondered the weight of this reality and the blessing over my life, I listened as the Holy Spirit walked me through a visual. I’ve discussed my morning walks with Stella before and interestingly enough, the concept under exploration aligns. In every yard, there is a ditch whereby the grass dips. Stella refuses to “go potty” atop where the terrain is flat; instead, she pulls me, who is holding her leash to the slope, providing a more intimate place for her to release herself. This got me to thinking that even dogs don’t want their less than desirable moments on display for others. Humans don’t like that either - perhaps even more so, believers. Like shouldn’t serving make us exempt? Yet, I can express from personal example that sometimes God allows our lowest and our valley moments to be visible to everyone. Are you a witness to God putting you on blast?
Have you ever tried your best, with all your might, like Stella to hide your vulnerability and yet God finds a way to shine the spotlight on you anyway? I have. I’ve dressed myself, put on my best countenance, moved as I normally would and somehow God targets His attention to you through a willing vessel. Perhaps they extend a look, an embrace or whisper words that you know came directly from the throne of God. Even as I’d prefer not to take residence in the valley, I am reminded that I’m not alone. I don’t serve a God who is only there for the highlight reel, but for every tidbit that has been bruised, ripped and torn into pieces, abandoned and trampled on the floor. The Word of the Lord declares in Psalm 84:6: “When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.” This scripture affirms several truths. First, we will encounter valley seasons. Sometimes we see it coming and other times, it takes us by surprise. There is no designated quota or timing that God inquires to determine if it's appropriate to occur. His sovereignty is operation when, where and how He deems. Secondly, the scripture suggests that the valley is temporary because it says “walk through.” While the valley feels like it is never ending, in God’s appointed time, He will bring us out. Thirdly, there is acknowledgment of weeping. As I navigate my “now,” in the valley, I couldn’t conjure tears. I put my favorite worship songs on, I read my Word, I even read what I’ve written and nothing happened. I think this point is directly related to the fact that our weeping is not reflective of ordinary tears, it is weeping that through prayer, supplication, trust and reliance on God for our next breath that the weeping becomes refreshing - it becomes life giving, life affirming and life altering. Our valley experiences covered with weeping become our common ground and cornerstone for relationship, reliance and restoration in God. Finally, our valley experiences do not always occur in the valley. They can be visible in full sight to everyone. They can spark speculation. They can spew judgment. They can speak ill of us. Yet, none of that matters when it compares to the blessings that we will be clothed with, as we endure.
At times when I don’t have a strong footing, I resist Stella pulling me into the ditch. I also resist her when I just don’t feel like traversing off our path. Sometimes, God refuses to allow us to lick our wounds in the privacy of our lives. Sometimes he resists taking us off the path we prefer. He allows us to feel the weight of humiliation in front of what feels like all humankind. But….He is also the God who will bless us openly with the weight of His glory in front of all generations. As we trust God who trusts us with trouble, may we be reminded that we are not alone and that all that He allows, permits and orchestrates will turn in our favor.
Two thousand years ago, Jesus experienced his visible valley experience. He was mocked, beaten, betrayed and yet because of what He endured, we have access to relationship, righteousness and reign. My valley as well as yours pales in comparison to what Jesus experienced, but the concept of suffering as He did is not foreign to us - in fact, as believers it is to be expected. I’m a bit weepy these days, but refreshing is underway. The veil was torn so that we can get as close as we need to Jesus - on the mountain or in the valley - hidden or transparent to any and all. Praise be to God who causes us to triumph. There will be victory in this valley.