Below “See” Level
On any given day, CNN will bring you, in graphic detail, tragedies from around the globe. Famine, violence, and disaster insulated behind a flat screen can bring a thankful response from us, as viewers, for our own lives which are so blessed in comparison.
And yet, it is almost certain that there will be a time during this new year that each of us will face our own tragedy. And the fact that it will probably not include famine or war will not be a comfort to us as we feel ourselves pulled down into our own valley of despair.
There have been a few times in my past when I have traveled through such valleys — dark, deep, hopeless.
As I was thinking about this during this past week, I was visualizing such a valley and in my imagination I could see the landscape - mountains, valleys, sunny paths by clear streams, sparkling waterfalls. I observed that in the picture I had created the deepest valleys were actually below sea level.
When we walk through those difficult times we need to realize that it is not sea level that we are below but “see” level. From our vantage point at the bottom of those valleys of testing we cannot see a way out. We cannot see what purpose there could be to our distress. We cannot see how God could still be in control.
What we need to realize is that it’s okay that we can’t see. God can still see. And if only one of us - God or me - gets to see, I would certainly vote for him. At times like this it is our turn to practice walking by faith. I’m not saying it’s easy. We want so much to be in control. We think that really we must know what is best for us and those around us. It is so hard to take our hands off the wheel and admit that since we cannot see, we really should not be steering.
Maybe today you are dancing along a sunny path or enjoying the majestic view from a mountain top or feeling the spray of a plunging waterfall. Celebrate! Use this time to flourish and thrive! But maybe today finds you in a valley that does seem to be dipping lower and lower to the place where you can no longer see the way. That’s the time to depend on God. He can still see. He knows the way. He loves you and wants to lead you through this valley. So cling to your Father. Learn the truths that can only be found deep in the valleys. Feel his loving arms around you as you trust in him.