Life In The Valley

The mountain top is a place that everyone, in my opinion ought to experience at least once in their lifetime.  When I was about fifteen years old, I had the opportunity of climbing Mt.  Kilimambogo. I remember climbing for what seemed to be hours on end, and not getting to the top. My muscles ached, I was so hot, and out of breath *read unfit* haha. Anyway, the climb was made much easier by the fact that I had good company. My friends shared in the strain and the excitement, making the journey a little more bearable. Finally, after what seemed like forever, we made it to the peak. I can’t quite explain what it felt like. It was surreal! I quickly forgot how hard and long it had been trying to get there. The air was so fresh, crisp and cool. The view was breath-taking, and we just stood there taking in the vast expanse of beautiful land surrounding us. It almost felt like my spirit was soaring and at that moment I felt that I could accomplish just about anything! We had an amazing day, that has remained clearly etched in my memory. The journey back was…well, alright...in all honesty it was nothing to write home about. Needless to say, I had swollen feet the whole week after our hike! I was unable wear cute girly shoes- I could only wear sandals until my feet got back to ‘normal’.  It is no wonder that it happened to be my first and last mountain climbing experience!

I’ve always heard it said that the mountain top can be compared to the Sunday mornings of life; the seasons that are easy and leave you feeling exhilarated.  These are the times when everything seems to fall in place like clockwork. You’re usually driven, and certain of your potential and your purpose, or at least you have a pretty good idea of it.  It may seem as though you’re gliding through life, with ease and grace. There’s an amazing clarity that comes to us when were on top of the mountain; we’re able to assess things and calculate our next move.

But we quickly forget the struggle and strength it took to climb that mountain. We forget how many times we wanted to give up, but more importantly we forget the many other mountains we ought to climb that will take just as much, if not more effort.  Inasmuch as we want to dwell at the peak, the truth is that inevitably we must descend in order to ascend; and we overlook one very important and yet inevitable place…the valley.

A valley is a depression on the earth, bounded by mountains. It is more often than not said to be a lonely place; a place of despair, and confusion. It is in the valley that the testing of our faith is felt. It’s dark in the valley, because the mountains surrounding it and the cloud cover cast a shadow on it. The psalmist David referred to his one of his darkest times as the ‘valley of the shadow of death’…a place of great vulnerability. The prophet Ezekiel was led by the spirit of God to a valley of dry bones. It is barren and desolate in the valley.  It is that season in your life when little seems to make sense. You hear sermons preached but they don’t stir up your spirit. You turn to your friends hoping to get a word of encouragement and find that they have their own battles to fight. Unlike the mountain top, the valley is not a place in which we like to dwell.  It is uncomfortable.

But I recently came to learn something I had never considered about the valley.

It’s not all dark and dreary -There is life in the valley! Things grow in the valley, because there’s enough shade, and warmth, and water.  The environment is conducive for some of the most precious things to grow. Grapes grow in the valley; flowers grow in the valley…tiger lilies for instance. Our heavenly father is sometimes referred to as the lily of the valley; beautiful and radiant.

In the valley our faith is tested, and it is in the testing of our faith that we grow. Everything our mind has known must now be exercised by our spirit. The valley is not as we have always thought it to be; it is a place of fruitfulness. The testing of our faith bears fruit if we trust that God is as present in the valley as He is on the mountain. We must trust that He watches over us even in those seemingly dark days and walks us through them.

Yes, the mountain tops are glorious and yes, we could use a lot more of those, but beloved it is in the valley that you grow. It’s in that pit that you learn to call on God and to trust Him with all your heart. It’s in the valley that you not only find strength for yourself but also for others who will sooner rather than later walk the same path; it yields compassion. The valley brings brokenness that God in turn gives for wholeness, mending and healing. God created the mountain top, and he also created the valley, each with its own unique and significant purpose. He is ever present in both, more so in the valley whose value we cannot comprehend.

It is in the valleys of my life that I have come to the full awareness  of my fears, doubts, and many other issues that God wanted to deal with, but couldn’t because I was caught up in the euphoria of the mountain top. He didn’t allow me to be vulnerable in order to hurt me; He did it in order to mend me and make me stronger. I thank Him for the victories, but I also thank Him for the failures, the struggles…the valley that has constantly drawn me back to Him.

The next time your find yourself in the valley, cry if you must, but remember that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and endurance will carry you through any season of your life. In the valley you will feel all alone, and even wonder whether God hears you when you pray. You will be tempted to give up because of the rain that pours so insistently. But remember that even in rainy, stormy weather there is light, and whatever God has planted requires it; both the rain and the light. The valley is an opportunity for you to be strengthened. It’s a place of preparation for your next mountain, your next achievement.  So walk courageously through it, allow God to bring what He started to a flourishing finish. May you find a renewal of your strength, your vigor, and your faith.

Remember beloved, that there is life in the valley!

Kambua M.