In the Valley

When you're in the valley, you cannot see the mountain through the fog.

“Down in the valley, valley so low….”

So begin the lyrics of a well-known American folk song recorded by such greats as Andy Griffith, Patti Page and Bing Crosby, among others. Although some of the lyrics have been altered over time, it is said that the writer, Tom Darby, wrote this ballad for his girlfriend, Bessie, while serving time in the Birmingham jail for moonshining.

Looks as if Mr. Darby was definitely having a “valley” experience in his life. Have you ever been down in the valley? I have – once just recently. Life is like that. Ups and downs. You are merrily cruising along, seemingly hopping from mountain top to mountain top, victory to victory, and suddenly you are looking way up from a long way down. How did that happen?

A geographical valley is described as a low area between hills or mountains, typically containing a river. Most valleys are formed by erosion over a period of time. Hmmm….

Eroding – gradual wearing away. Is it possible that we create our own valleys by allowing our strength, our resolve, our faith to be gradually worn away by obstacles appearing right in the middle of our smooth sailing? An offense, disagreement with our spouse, disobedient children, disappointments, bad news, financial troubles, and so many other things.… You know what I mean.

So I am not really sure what happened to me. Perhaps I just got bogged down by the “dailies” and began to enjoy feeling sorry for me. That’s how easily it can happen. We take our eyes off the path and begin to waver and wander. Then we allow discouraging thoughts to take hold in our minds and it’s all downhill from there. Where is God anyway? Didn’t He see this coming? Why is this happening to me? He could have stopped it.

A few years back we visited Pike’s Peak in Colorado. It took us an hour to drive the switchbacks 14,115 feet up the massive mountain. It is amazing at the top. There is nothing above you but sky and you can see everything below so clearly. I felt a great sense of accomplishment to have made it to this famous place and experience another wonder of God’s creation. (I have a mug with my name on it to prove I was there.)

In the Bible we can read several stories where great things happened on mountain tops. Mountains are symbolic of God’s revelation of Himself to men who climbed there looking for Him. On our spiritual “mountains” we look with awe upon the God who created us and loves us and wants us to know Him intimately. Our soul is inspired to commit to His ways and never look back. We really mean it! It is inevitable, however, that we will soon be back down in the valley.

Honestly, though, it’s not a bad thing. We have to see our low places, our valleys, from a different perspective. Geographical valleys are green and fruitful areas; safe and peaceful places. When we get to feeling a little gloomy or downcast, we need to remember that God is still at work. He never stops working on us. Our mountain top encounters with Him cast a powerful, sustaining shadow under which we can grow and increase our faith even as we trudge through the everyday-ness of life. Picture yourself as a warehouse. God is continually depositing in you, storing in you, even in your low places and even when you don’t realize it, all the life-giving and inspirational tools you will need to become all He has made you to be.

My mom lived on a mountain. On misty mornings a heavy, dense fog would hide the view of the valley below. I loved sitting on her deck to watch the sun rise and the fog slowly dissipate. It occurs to me that on the mountain you cannot see the valley through the fog. In the valley you cannot see the mountain through the fog. Still, both are very truly there.

I will leave you with this wonderful scripture from Psalm 138:4-6 (The Message). “When they hear what you have to say, GOD, all earth’s kings will say ‘Thank you.’ They’ll sing of what you’ve done: ‘How great the glory of GOD!’ And here’s why: GOD, high above, sees far below; no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.”

Don’t be discouraged! No matter where you are today, high or low, God sees you. Wish I could hug your neck. Sending my love.