The Valley

As my patients are terminal, a passage of Scripture that many gravitate toward is Psalm 23, especially the part that says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (v. 4).  It is very comforting to know that their journey through that valley will not be made solo, that the Good Shepherd will escort them across.

However, the question must be begged, "Why does the Good Shepherd allow his sheep to make a journey through such a valley?  Why would he not just turn them back at the valley's edge?  Wouldn't it make more sense just to keep them on this side of the valley?  No.

The Lord isn't being derelict in his Shepherding duties, he isn't allowing unnecessary dismay or distress to be visited upon his sheep, rather he is providing what is vital for them: Safe passage to the place where life and sustenance are found without measure, without end; where we will find the green pasture, quiet waters and the house of the Lord, where we shall dwell forever (cf. Ps 23:2,3,6).

On this side of the valley, life can only be sustained for a short while.  For our life here is "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (Js 4:14).  The sheep have no choice but to leave, entering the dark valley.  However, to do so on their own puts them at the mercy of our "enemy the devil [who] prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pet 5:8). This side of the valley cannot sustain life and the valley will not permit it without the presence of the Good Shepherd.

Passage through the dark valley, far from being a curse, is vital to our survival.  We can't stay here, we can't navigate the dark valley safely alone, our only hope is to answer the call of the Good Shepherd, who will take us from this dry and barren land across the dark and deadly valley and into the blessed and bountiful Promise Land.  Jus' Say'n.