Life Happens in The Valley

When I hear Christians speak of the valley, it is generally with a negative connotation. The valley is just a temporary place you abide while you await the mountaintop, or the victory. You might hear someone say, “I have been in the valley for so long, I am ready for the mountaintop.” In fact, I have said that exact sentence, but there is actually little truth to that.

I was sitting on Rockaway Beach in Pacifica, CA a few weeks ago and I noticed a trail that went to the top of a small, rocky cliff next to the beach. It was narrow, and there was no guard rail. It was also empty. It didn’t appear to be a long hike, although it did look rather steep. I asked my daughter if she wanted to hike to the top, but she was content to sit on the beach with her feet in the sand and a book in her hands. I sat there, listening to the waves crash on the rocks. I watched several dogs play with their owners, and with each other. I watched the birds fly in circles and land on the side of the cliff. I watched a woman walk from one end of the beach to the other, then back, her bare-feet leaving a trail in the wet sand, which was quickly erased. It seemed that many people were content to stay on the beach, and today, no one was willing to invest the time or energy to climb to the top of the cliff.

I would have pushed my daughter a little more if I had packed hiking shoes, or even tennis shoes. All I had with me were two pairs of sandals. It reminded me of a time that a cousin and I drove out to the Grand Canyon. We looked around and took some photos, then decided to hike down a ways. It wasn’t long before we realized that we had forgotten to bring water, and we turned around and headed back up the trail. There is something to be said for being prepared, for being properly equipped. You don’t just decide one day to sit on top of a mountain. You need to make sure you are properly equipped, you have the right supplies, that you are ready to make the journey.

There have been times that I have run headlong towards the mountain, and then tumbled down because I was ill-equipped. Sometimes I realize that I am not ready for the climb yet, and other times I run again, and again. What I have learned from the repeated attempts at climbing a mountain that I was unprepared to climb is that the equipping happens in the valley. The trials, the day to day struggles, the suffering – it all happens, every day in the valley. The valley is my training ground. Trial and error, ups and downs, lessons and learning, they all happen in the valley, and they all serve a purpose. Relationships are built in the valley. Life happens in the valley. That day on the beach, the cliff was there, with its trail and spectacular views beckoning, but the one person I wanted to spend the day with was content to stay on the beach.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:13-17

What is victory? Merriam-Webster offers this: Achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties. If we are going to make it to the top of the mountain, we need ample time in the valley. The valley is our training camp. It is where we learn what our weapons are, and how to use them. Battles are fought – and won – in the valley. And if you think about it, victory is first celebrated in the valley. Consider an Olympian: once they have crossed the finish line, or tagged the end of the swimming pool, or scored a perfect ten, the first thing they do is hug their coach, their parents, their teammates. They celebrate with those closest to them, sometimes they do a victory dance. It is later, during the awards ceremony, when they stand on the podium and receive recognition for their accomplishment, that they stand alone, solemn.

I have been in this valley for a long time. I have grown weary at times and stopped making forward progress. I have allowed depression to linger, bitterness to rise up, and I have allowed pain to dictate my response. At times it felt like I was losing the battle. Most often, that was when I was trying to fight alone, without my armour. But today I remember that the joy of the Lord is my strength. David said in the 30th Psalm that God is a shield unto them who put their trust in Him. I have to trust the process – trust the valley.

The mountain top is a great place to go, and I think you should enjoy the view while you are there. Relish, for a moment, in the victory, and give honor to the One who made the victory possible. But don’t stay there too long. It is lonely on the mountain – and life happens in the valley.