An Invitation When You Feel Stuck in the Valleys of Life
Life’s journey has long been represented by seasons of mountains high and valleys low. Commonly, mountain tops represent the peaks of enjoyment, satisfaction, and fulfillment, while valleys the deeper, darker, and difficult seasons. My age and experience attest to quite the opposite.
the mountain top
You see, for me, the mountain incline requires a full body exertion, a focused determination, and a continual inhale of oxygen to survive until the summit. Undoubtedly, the vantage point from the top is breathtaking (literally) and holistically rewarding, but I have found as much beauty, if not more, as on the descent. Why?
Anyone who has climbed a 14-er knows that time is limited on the mountain top. Threatening thunderstorms inevitably surround. Since there is not the luxury to sit and celebrate long, my discomfort grows while celebrating at the peaks of life for fear of what lies ahead. So, I snap the picture, mark the moment, yet fix my eyes on the valley below.
Time and again the exhale of descent allows my spirit to pause in a way the mountain top does not afford. I reflect on the arduous journey, discovering her true treasure lies not simply in the view from the mountain top, but the growth, confidence, and lessons obtained along the descent to the valley.
the valley
Oh, how I used to fear the valleys.
Not a true pessimist, mind you, I prefer to think of myself as more of a realist. Perhaps it’s because of my Enneagram 6 tendencies or because my childhood trained me to be hyper-aware of life’s downturns that I identify in this way. As the oldest child, the countless highs and lows of my parent’s finances, health, and marriage caused my stomach to turn circles of expectant worry, and I silently exhaust myself in an attempt to prepare for the unexpected even now.
Yet, over time, I’ve discovered there is ample beauty to behold in the valleys of life. Though none of us wish to be stuck in a season marked by more downs than ups, it is when we are down that we can truly “fix our eyes on the hills, where our help comes from” (Psalm 121:1).
While I’ve traveled to Colorado hundreds of times throughout my life, my eyes discover a new way of seeing God’s creation each time. This recent trip is no exception as I began to see the striking beauty of the valley—for it’s in the valley that we are invited into the meadow.
the meadow
To See Takes Time.
The inscription on her book’s cover halts my perusal around the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum gift shop. If you are familiar with Georgia’s work at all, then you know she is famous for painting the unfurling details of flowers. O’Keeffe has the ability to invite you into the details of the common and exotic, like a descending spiral staircase. Before you realize it, you are lost in the crevices of mesmerizing beauty.
Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1, 1932 by Georgia O'Keeffe
As I stand and admire her work, I echo this truth over my own journey: it takes time to see that the valley boasts of more than tears and fears; it offers a different beauty altogether—not merely of perspective, but of invitation.
For it’s in the valleys where green meadows lie, hungry wildlife graze, and steady streams flow in abundance. So often our eyes are fixed on the pain or what if’s that we miss the provision God offers to us in its midst: colorful meadows of wonder, fields full of nourishment, water overflowing with fulfillment.
You and I are invited today to neither fear nor miss what God has for us in our respective seasons. If on the ascending climb, breathe deeply and celebrate fully. If on the descent, linger long in reflection of lessons learned. If in a deep valley of difficulty, don’t miss the sustaining provision that he offers to you even now.
Don’t miss the meadow.
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalm 121