The Valley of Vision

I have come to a sobering realization that in my lowest, most vulnerable points, God is still all the more greater, and that I see Him so much clearer when life is clouded by doubts, failures and un-certanties. Granted, that this may not always be the case. Most people who face trials in their life find that their assumptions on who God is are thrown into obscurity. I fall under that category. However, this morning I realized that if one were to take the time to fully examine their pains and troubles, one can see God's presence in all of it, even if God's intended purposes are not made immediately clear. Isn't it true that after further reflection that we do see God's goodness in all things?

The following is one of my favorite prayers from the Puritan prayer book with the same title. It has been a great comfort to me and a great reminder of what my attitude should be like as I live this life and take up my Cross, to follow the One who died for the sins of the world, so that I may have life and have it abundantly.

The Valley of Vision

LORD, HIGH and HOLY, MEEK and LOWLY,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by the mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from
deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty
thy glory in my valley.