The Valley of Vision

John Constable (1776 – 1837)

"Not only this valley but all this earthly past will be Heaven to those who are saved...This is what mortals misunderstand. They say of some temporal suffering, 'No future bliss can make up for it,' not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into glory."
C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce

I tend to be very sentimental. I also like word pictures with very good quotes to go with them. God often uses these things about me to get my attention. He teaches, shapes, and guides my thinking through art and literature beyond His Word. I do saturate myself in the Bible and meditate on a specific passage every day. I'm fascinated how the Holy Spirit will then bring people and their stories, music, quotes, and art to then expand my understanding of a biblical truth. This idea of a valley that represents my suffering has been just that. But I didn't come to such a big and beautiful picture right away.

When I struggle with more physical pain than what is normal for me, my thoughts implode and I see everything in a negative light. I was describing to a friend that I feel like I've entered a dark tunnel and I know I have to press on to find the light at the end of it, but it isn't there and I'm weary of enduring. As I found moments or events that shed some light in my path, it wasn't light at the end of the tunnel, but a shaft of light from above, like a window cut into the mountain which allowed the light to trickle in. I could stand there and bask in it for a little while but then, I had to keep moving, in the dark.

I honestly thought that was the picture I had to hold onto for the next several months. I even found a bead for my bracelet that fit with the picture of a dark tunnel and shafts of light (it is to the right of the dangling cross). It’s a black bead with little rhinestones set in it like shafts of light. However, God had a bigger picture for me to find, that would help my perspective and motivation to endure.

As I was meditating on the following verses:

Cease striving and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10

In repentance and rest you will be saved,
in quietness and trust is your strength.
Isaiah 30:15

I was struck by the paradoxes in the Christian life. I need to stop trying in my own strength to press through this dark tunnel of my life and rest in Him. What did I need to repent from so that I could rest? I was self-absorbed and consumed with my own pain. The tunnel was a pity party and while I did rest in the shafts of light, I left it in my own strength to continue on.

With a song based on a well loved Puritan prayer (The Valley of Vision), God gave me a bigger picture. I am in a dark valley, hemmed in by mountains that are intimidating but as I look up at night the stars are shining. God's glory is revealed in my weakness as I seek His strength. He is doing more than I can see or imagine, even in my pain. I can look up and trust Him. I had the privilege of singing this song at church this past Sunday. It truly came from my heart.

In the Valley

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Words and music by Bob Kauflin
As recorded on Valley of Vision

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 Your 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

© 2006 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)