The Valley

Do you remember when One Direction was on Jimmy Kimmel and Harry Styles did his impression of an American accent?

“Yeah, I live in the valley!”

Said with a blue toothpaste mustache. ICONIC I TELL YA.

And honestly, I feel ya Harry.

I have come to realize that life consists of a fair share of “valleys.” I would even dare to say that life is mainly “valleys” more than anything. Sure, there are beautiful seasons of triumph and great acknowledgment but they seem so fleeting. Here a moment and gone the next. Next thing you know, BOOM, another valley.

It becomes easy to feel as though you live in the valley rather than just passing through.

In reality, we are all entitled to highs in our life. It’s a given! So while we wait in the valley, what can we gain from it?

Before we get into this, I need to acknowledge that I do use a billion analogies in this post. Go there with me, will ya?

We go through hard-pressing times, we refer to those as “valley seasons.”

What is a valley?

A valley is a depression in the land formed by erosion or wear-down from excessive wind and water exposure.

Yeah, that sounds about right.

Now pay attention! For centuries, humans have found valleys significant because of their placement by rivers. Rivers provided resources of water, food, and rich soil. The way valleys are laid also creates a barrier that made invasions against settlements difficult so there was a level of protection.

VALLEYS WERE MAJOR!

Are you getting the idea?

While we endure valley seasons we have a safe place to rest and resources to glean from!

How special is that?

Valleys are an opportunity to find rest and refreshment. A place to lay low and put some focus inwardly. A time to tend the soil of your heart and water the garden of your soul. A chance for your roots to extend deep into the earth. To find grounding within your surroundings.

Open up that dusty journal and write.

Pull out your old collection of acrylics and paint.

Pick up a book and read something new.

Buy some seeds and start a garden.

Of course, we all long for the elevation found at mountain’s peak but I must say, there is something so beautiful about the valley.

Like how we always long for sunshine when it rains but we sure do love to see the rainbow after the storm.

Much like our valleys.

We need our valleys to make us pause and reflect. We need our valleys to give us a fresh perspective. We need our valleys to lead to the mountains. We need the valleys.

You may be in a valley season, and friend, I want you to know that there is a mountaintop with your name on it. And you’re well on your way there but before you get there I want to encourage you to embrace the valley. There’s something there for you too.

For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. 

-Deuteronomy 8:7-9