Lessons in the Valley

There is something to be said for the lessons we learn in the valley. The darkest times in our lives sometimes yield the most wisdom - if we allow them to. In my experience I grow seemingly much closer to sanctification when I have just gone through something that has required me to completely lean on the Lord. Those times when I realize that I have no one but Him are the times when I understand just how much I need Him and love Him.

It was during one of these difficult places that God taught me an important lesson. I feel like it might be one of the most important lessons in my life. There are many times that God reaches down and reveals wisdom that is meant only for me. However, this time I feel that many people would benefit from this perspective. 

There are times when the struggles we face lead us to a dark place in our hearts. These places are often littered with thoughts of our self-worth and empty value. While we may know the truth in our mind about who God says we are and the impact we might have on the world, in times of struggle it is easy to find all of this insignificant. To be honest, in times of deep pain it can be easy to find our own lives insignificant. We may even feel like we hope to die to avoid suffering any longer. 

At Christmas time we consider God's great gift of love. In doing so I realized something that I had never considered before. Scripture teaches that Jesus was a "man of many sorrows" (Isaiah 53:3). Jesus is God and it is hard to imagine Him as a person who suffers pain as well. The Bible is pretty clear on this, "he was despised and rejected" (Is. 53:3). He felt alone. He felt sorrow. He felt hated. If we continue reading in Scripture it is clear that He also likely felt unloved, like He did not belong, and betrayed by those He should have been able to trust (I'm looking at you, Peter - Luke 22). 

During the times in our lives when we feel sorrowful, alone, hated, like an outcast who is unloved or betrayed, we might wish that the circumstances which lead to us feeling this way had never happened. On the other side of this deep pain, we may have gained wisdom and insight that we realize was invaluable but few of us would say that we would choose to go through the pain again. I think we would likely all appreciate the lesson without the pain. 

Unlike us, Jesus not only would choose the pain again - but chose the pain the first time. He knew what it would cost Him. He knew he would be unloved and even knew that God would have to turn away from Him on the cross as He took on our sin. He still chose those nails. He still chose that hate. He still chose you. 

While we might say that we would never choose the painful circumstances that brought us toward sanctification, but we are glad that God could use it for good. Christ chose. He chose then and He would choose it again. If it were not for His suffering we would not have communion with God. We would not have the gift of the indwelling Spirit of God. We would not have peace or hope for tomorrow. 

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. John 1:14

The expression of God that is Jesus was born into human nature to be with us.

He knew that dwelling among us would be difficult and painful. He knew He would feel alone, and be alone at times. He knew it would cost Him everything - but He chose to do it anyway because you were worth it to Him. 

I hope to remember this lesson. Christ was born to die. He chose to suffer - a man of many sorrows - so that we would never be alone while we are suffering.