Hidden Valleys

In a hidden valley just over the hill
A young shepherd boy surrenders his will
As he lifts his voice in praise to his King
Only the lambs will hear and follow as he sings

In a hidden valley a faithful one leads
No one looking on, he cares for their needs
For he knows the One who tries the heart
So he is steadfast and content to do his part

Chorus:
Hidden valleys produce a life song
Hidden valleys will make a heart strong
Desperation can cause you to sing
Hidden valleys turn shepherds to kings

In a hidden valley a leader is born
He has faced the fierce and weathered the storm
So with humble heart and love for his God
He becomes royalty with just a staff and rod

That's a song from Steve Green that I hadn't heard in a really long time. It made me think of my own literal valleys. I grew up in a valley for 18 years of my life. There were hills all around me: a rural small-town country area of New York. I've been here at college in the infamous "happy valley" of Southern for the past several years.

David grew up in his hidden valley. He communed with God in the simplicity of pasture life. He fought his battles and protected his sheep. That simplistic life is what prepared him for the challenges of life outside his valley. The lessons he learned were essential and designed by God for his training and preparation.

I consider being raised in a Christian, Adventist home the most tremendous blessing in my life. I can never thank God enough. Not having to deal with the junk so many people my age have gone through....I can never be more grateful. I have this heritage which I absolutely love. Always going to small Christian schools has also been one of the most valuable blessings in my life. I have met and been blessed by so many wonderful dedicated Christian teachers and folks every year of my schooling life. Combined with my beautiful literal valleys, these protected social valleys have guided me in such a powerful way through these years of my life.

But we can't stay in these valleys. David was called from his peaceful pastoral life to a future he could never have imagined. Many of the prophets, the disciples, and Jesus Himself were all called out of their peaceful valleys to a life of service to God. We are certainly not all called to be Paul, Peter or Moses. But we are all called to step from our comfort zones and be soldiers for Christ.

This has already shaped to be a fascinating year of my schooling life- potentially the last ever. Schooling is a very comfortable valley and leaving it forever is an exciting and daunting thought. I am confident however, that these years of education and guidance, through God's Spirit, have prepared me for whatever He has before me.

Whether you're in the valley of indecision, sorrow, light, joy, frustration, trial, complacency, or wherever you find yourself, may the peace of Christ fill your hearts.