In the Valley

When you lead me to the Valley of Vision
I can see You in the heights
And, though my humbling wouldn't be my decision
It's here Your glory shines so bright

So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown
to be low is to be high
that the Valley's where You make me more like Christ

Let me find Your grace in the Valley
Let me find You life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow,
Your wealth in my need
That You're near with every breath
In the Valley

IN the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that i go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light

So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the Valley's where Your power is revealed

Let me fin You grace in the Valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow,
Your life in my need,
That You're near with every breath
In the Valley

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The above lyrics, written by Bob Kauflin in response to the writings in book, The Valley of Vision, are full of one thing. Humility. I used to sing that song in chapel while at college. A lot of the time, in the happy moments, I would sing it and take note of the words for when I thought I would need them next. On the stressful days, I learned to cling to them. But, I sit hear remembering those sweet words and realize that the song isn't JUST for the times we're being tested and tried. We are to be humble every. single. day. of our lives. For we are NOTHING without Jesus Christ. We know that God is there all the time, but sometimes we act as if He's needed most when everything is dark and grim. In fact, He's needed most every day.

My mother always told us to die to ourselves. I feel like she said it every morning of my high school life, but I'm pretty sure she had said it enough, that it rang in my head, even when she didn't say it. Now, I'm "grown up" and it STILL rings in my head. If we do not learn that everything we have is God's, we miss out on the satisfying truth that, although we want to run our own lives, there is Someone greater who does. All the negative things in life: sorrow, death, poverty, brokenness, and loss are made new and beautiful in the eyes of an all perfect and loving God. He turns those seemingly bad things into awesome things! So, I must die to myself. I must strive to look to Jesus to be my strength, life, wealth, joy, and fulfiller. For, when we are weak, HE is strong. His power is made perfect in our weakness!! If we had no weakness or valleys, we would fail to acknowledge the One who made us.

So, whether you're in the Valley of Vision right now, or if you're in the heights, standing in glorious light. Remember that to be humbled is to glorify God. Becoming more like Jesus is hard, but not impossible. Don't falter in your walk towards Christ. Hold on, gather strength from Him, and let His name be glorified for the sake of His great salvation!