The
Valley of Decision
By Elin Henderson
“For the day of the LORD is near
in the valley of decision.”
How much of our lives are spent in valleys? Yes, we do
experience the mountaintops from time to time, but most of our daily living
takes place in the valleys below. If there were FVMs (frequent valley miles)
available, I would be able to take a trip anywhere in the world. Valleys tend
to be places of darkness, of the unknown, of despair and even death.
But I think the valley that I most often find myself wandering
aimlessly in is the Valley of Decision. How do I move forward in my
ministry/work? What will I do about my kids’ education? How do I deal with
aging parents? Work, family, friends, church, life…they are what fill our
valleys of decision.
David in the Old Testament spent a lot of time in the valleys.
As a shepherd, he knew that the mountaintops were great places for viewing the
horizons and paths. But the grass, water and protection were actually found in
the valleys below. How many long, dark and cold nights did he longingly await
the dawn of a new day to bring light and warmth to the valley below?
Like the prophet Joel while he was in the valley, David needn’t fear
because the day of the LORD was near. God’s redemption of the situation…His
guidance…His direction…His hand of comfort…were all there and available. [1]
So the next time you find yourself racking up miles in the dark
Valley of Decision, remember that the day of the LORD is near and soon the dawn
will come, dissipating the darkness and making the paths clear. The valley
itself may not have changed. But our ability to see what lies before us will
become clearer as we walk closely with our Shepherd Savior and rely on the
heavenly illumination of His new day.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
Are you
experiencing a Valley of Decision right now?
2.
How does
knowing that the “…day of the LORD is near…” bring encouragement and hope?
FURTHER READING:
Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a
registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes
in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to
seventeen-year-old Callie and fourteen-year-old Elias.
[1] Book of Joel
