The Purpose of the Valley

The Purpose of the Valley

“We have seen what we are not, and what God wants us to be, but are we willing to be battered into the shape of the vision to be used by God? The beatings will always come in the most common, everyday ways and through common, everyday people.” 

~Oswald Chambers

Have you discovered the purpose of your valley? Do you long to be back on the mountain top basking in the goodness of the Lord? Have you ever thought you must be doing something wrong because of the seemingly constant battles you face?

Welcome to the valley, my friend!

I have good news for you today…you are probably right where you are supposed to be! In our everyday life we can become weary with the common, everyday battles we face. But those battles are tools that build our character and help us become more like Christ. They serve a wonderful purpose. Living in the valley is what we are supposed to do!

We were not made to stay on the mountain, we were made to live in the valley. We can see his glory on the mountain, but we live for his glory in the valley. That is what we were made for! Let your heart be encouraged! John 16:33 says “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jesus himself says we will have tribulation and trials but he encouraged us to take heart! Don't get weary...be encouraged in your faith! Are we willing to go down into the valley to live out what he has spoken to us on the mountain? Are we willing to face the trials? Are we willing to be "battered into the shape of the vision"? 

I believe the depth of our relationship with God is revealed in the valley. We know who we are not, and we know that in our weakness Christ is made perfect. If we cannot live for him there, we are not a true disciple. We must develop an appreciation for the valleys we face and not fear them. They are revealing to us our desperate need for grace and our eternal longing for the Father. 

Dear friend, if you find yourself weary in the valley hold on to this promise:  “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-27”

Ponder this: The purpose of the valley is to reveal to us that we are right where we are supposed to be, daily becoming who God wants us to be.