Walking Through a Dark Valley

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff - they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

Many would say that we are walking through a dark valley these days. Our nation's politics are dysfunctional, our economy is limping along, and the Cowboys seem incapable of holding a big fourth quarter lead. For many, the lights of hope and security and joy are distant and dim.

It seems that even our church family is being dragged into a dark valley. We are struggling with the recent news that our church staff will likely be reduced in 2012, and we are anxious about the future - especially, the future of our youth program. Finding ourselves in this dark valley, we have bemoaned our situation, voiced our concerns, and burned the midnight oil at meetings, hoping to uncover a palatable solution. We want out of this dark valley...and fast!

Turning to the scriptures, I find that God does not promise us as people of faith that we will never walk through dark valleys. Occasional times of confusion, frustration, disappointment and conflict come to us all. What the scriptures do promise is that we are not alone in the dark valley and that, because God is with us, we have nothing to fear. The rod of our Good Shepherd will ensure that every one of the sheep will be safely accounted for. The staff of the Good Shepherd will ward off any threats to our well-being. The Lord, our Good Shepherd, will look after us and protect us as we walk through the dark valley. The Lord offers us comfort and peace, even while we are in the dark valley.

Friends, the words of Psalm 23 may have been written down 3,000 years ago, but these words are for us today. Now, as then, we can attempt to make our way through the dark valley ruled by fear. Ruled by fear, we may find our way out, but it won't be pretty. Or, we can walk through the dark valley with unwavering faith in our God - a faith that God will comfort us in our grief, a faith that our youth and our staff members and our church are in the loving hands of God and will be alright, and a faith that helps us turn toward one another as a church family for strength and support.

Fear or faith. The Psalmist proclaims that we have nothing to fear with the Lord at our side, guiding us, protecting us and keeping us united in love. I believe the Psalmist, I believe in the power of God to see us through this dark valley, and I believe in you.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Andy Lewis