by Pam Nettles, LPC
The Valley of Vision
LORD, HIGH, AND HOLY, MEEK AND LOWLY,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights,
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty,
thy glory in the valley.
Poem from (Bennett, Arthur. The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and devotions, The Banner if Truth Trust, 1975)
In our culture we often identify the ‘mountain top’ experiences as those great life experiences. However, if we observe nature, the mountain top is often rocky, jagged and void of lush greenery, wildlife, and water. Storms and winds ravage the mountain top and do not provide protection; the nutrients flow down the mountain to the valley below. The valley is typically where we see lush growth, rivers and waterfalls, wildlife, and beautiful wildflowers. Let’s take a lesson from nature and remember when we are in the ‘valleys of life’ that this is a time to rest in the protection of the Lord Almighty and to experience growth that cannot be achieved on the mountain top.
Comfort, comfort my people, says the Lord. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” …Isaiah 40:1, 3-5 ESV
