Often, in popular and Christian writing, valleys are not welcome. We often think about being in a valley when things are going poorly, or we are depressed. And yet, there’s life in the valley.
As I write this, I overlook a valley in a National Park in America. The valley’s broad vista is untouched by human hands except for the road that took us here and the turnout where we parked. As far as the eye can see, there is life in that valley. Bison, those majestic beasts of the American wilderness, are scattered across the valley, grazing on green grass. Near dusk, the deer and elk emerge from the forests ringing the valley to graze on fresh grass. Occasionally, wolves and bears can be seen. A slow-moving river snakes through the valley. The river also teems with life: fish of various kinds, river otters, ducks, geese, and, believe it or not, pelicans. This valley is the most peaceful and most alive place I know.
Off in the distance are tall, majestic mountains accented with snow. They are not lifeless, although no life is visible. Various animals make their homes on the shoulders of their majesty. Many years ago, we drove to the top of Pikes Peak, which is 14,400 feet high. Even that high, where trees refuse to grow, there is life. Small plants, a few bugs, and a curious critter called a marmont. But the life in the valley far surpasses that of the mountain top.
In life, we live in the valley with occasional visits to the mountain tops. Mistakenly, we long (emotionally and spiritually) for the mountaintop moments, somehow thinking we are closer to God on the mountain than in the valley. One psalmist wrote, “He makes my feet like deer’s feet, And sets me up on my high places.” (Psalm 18:33, NASB 2020) And yet, there is a simple truth we ignore. God is just as present in the valley as in those high places.
I’ve put this in a Christian context because that is my worldview. Jesus is my all in all. But in a way, the truth of the valley is not limited to people of faith. Many religions have sought God, gods, or enlightenment on mountain tops. Even folks without faith talk about mountaintop experiences and depressing valleys. The lesson of the valley is for all. However, it is special to us who walk with our good shepherd in our valleys, even in our darkest valleys.
But what is the lesson of the valley? Life is all around us, even in the darkest parts of the valley. Peace is there if we take the time to stop and see it. Joy is there in the animals’ voices and whispers of the wind if we have ears to hear it. The valley is not to be feared but to be embraced and savored. God meets us in all of our valleys. It is there that we grow and apply the vision of the mountaintops.
Some valleys are dark, and some are light. Some are desert-like, and many are like the green valley before me. God is with us in all our valleys if we have eyes to see and ears to hear. The mountaintop experiences are welcome, but I’ll cherish this valley and pause to experience the peace of God. A peace that is hard to find except in the valley.
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take up the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will take hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” Even darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.” (Psalm 139:7–12, NASB 2020)
God meets us in our valleys; It is there that we find peace
We meet God in our valleys; It is there that we hear His voice
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