Life has a way of sending one through so many different changes. In life we experience high, pivotal, life-changing moments that will alter our lives for the better. However, there are times where we are sent into deep, valley experiences that can either break us or shape us into our God-given purpose.
I believe David wrote this particular scripture in this passage to inform us that even in our darkest moments God is with us. Valley experiences are necessary. This is the time where our faith meets our purpose. Will we break? Will we overcome? One awesome thing about God is his confidence to give us "free will." He gives us the freedom to either go through the valley or to find a shortcut.
Can I tell you the shortcut is not as beautiful as the journey? See, when you take shortcuts you miss the beauty of everything and sometimes you're left in a place you shouldn't even be in. Let me break it down this way. Some of us have taken shortcuts in relationships, jobs, family, friendships, "get rich quick" schemes and all of this has been done WITHOUT consulting God. We take the shortcut because we're fearful of the process.
I can only speak for myself in this situation. I've taken shortcuts MANY, MANY times. Because going through a valley just looked too hard. But I've come to realize the more shortcuts you take, you'll find yourself right in the place you were trying to avoid, a valley. As a millennial I've grown up in the 'microwave generation' where we want things done right away and expect the results to be perfect. But God doesn't work that way. Our timing and God's timing are two different things. What seems like weeks and months to us are only milliseconds and minutes to The Most High. God wants things done in decency and in order. His perfection takes time.
A great example is a story in The Bible in the book of Jeremiah chapter 18. God instructs Jeremiah to go the potter's house and there he will "reveal His words to him." When Jeremiah arrived at the potter's house he saw the potter working at the wheel. However, the jar the potter was making was 'flawed' and he made it into something else and then it was PERFECT. God is the potter, we are the clay, He's constantly at the wheel shaping and reshaping us into what He has destined us to be. There is no shortcut in the process. But there is beauty and peace in the valley.
Can I tell you the valley is a great place to be? This is the place where you are between defeat and victory. The valley is quiet, but that's perfect because that's time for you to be comforted by God's peace. This is not a time to grow weary or to break down. This is a time to be comforted and know that God is right beside you. The valley is just a journey, take your time to enjoy the scenic route. Learn from the wrong turns, dust yourself off from a few slips and falls because you won't be in the valley for long.
Don't be discouraged for following Christ. Sometimes he leads us into the valley to test us. Remember the teacher is ALWAYS silent during the test. It doesn't mean He's not present. It just means He's observing how we'll handle the process. Whether, you're dealing with depression, heartbreak, sin, death, be comforted in knowing that God sees you and He's comforting you. Enjoy the bittersweet journey, God is shaping, reshaping your PURPOSE.
Authentically Yours,
Ariel Marie
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