Valley of the Shadow

I was sent an article called Cancer’s Unexpected Blessings: When you enter the Valley of the Shadow of Death, things Change, published at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/july/25.30.html.

It is really a great article all-around and I’d recommend you read the whole thing, but there was one quote that stood out to me because it impacts where I often find myself.

“Third, we can open our eyes and hearts. God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease—smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see—but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension—and yet don't. By his love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise.” Tony Snow

I could relate to this quote, not in the experiencing the Valley of Death scenario but in the setting of experiencing the battles of everyday life. When life seems too hard (and it often does living here) I close my eyes and imagine an easier life, “even trails as far as the eye can see.” But that is not God’s plan, for me or for any of His children. I love the description “God likes to go off-road.” I can imagine him calling out in an adventurous tone, “Come on, follow me and we’ll explore unexplored pathways.” Yes, invariably there is hurt along the way: climbing the tall mountain peak leaves us out of breath, often with bruises and occasionally with injuries. But then there is just what Snow mentioned, strengthening and joy; vistas and experiences that change us and make the moments of our lives richer.

This quote echoed of C.S. Lewis’ refrain, “Further up and farther in.” God has more in store for us than we can ever imagine!