Far Side of the Valley

"Far side of the Valley"

Staring across the distance – we can barely see the other side from here

As we set out across uncharted lands, across challenges we don’t control

We’ve got our roadmap and we’ve got our plans, our sense of adventure and a noble goal

They say the grass is greener – but we can see more than that,

While our eyes behold more a vision than a picture, we know what we see is good

And so we set off for that which lies beyond the fog and clouds, on the far side of the valley.

It’s easy to say we anticipated some steep climbs.  It’s fair to say we expected some rough going.

Like all of life’s adventures, it’s taken a while for the uncertain to become clear

What once seemed flat has dropped so fast we’ve lost sight of the top.

We’re frightened and we’re timid – afraid to take many more steps.

From here it seems so far to the peak – It’s hard to press on when we’ve lost our view.

But we’ll get there okay if we focus on the promise of what we saw, on the far side of the valley

So breathe it in, God’s grace in this breath.

Breathe it in – full mercy in this air.

Breathe it in – there’ll be joy in overcoming a mount that seemed so steep

When we reach the far side of the valley, we’ll be on our way back up

Knowing perhaps the worst is behind us, at least with any luck.

On the far side of the valley having climbed one of life’s great hills

There’s more on the horizon – we’ll tackle those tomorrow, but for now we’ll just be still

And when it seems there’s miles to go and the ground climbs too fast

Continue on – we will never walk alone

And when it feels like such soft sand, every step is hard to take,

Continue on – there’s always a way home. 

On the far side of this valley – we’ll forget the smaller trials

While we may have spent some time crawling, we’ll know it’s been worthwhile.

There’s things we’ve learned on this narrow path, winding through these hills.

That have left us awed and wondering – left us to be still.

And breathe it in, God’s grace in this breath.

Breathe it in – full mercy in this air.

Breathe it in – the joy of overcoming a mount that seemed so steep

On the far side of this valley – let’s not forget the miles he’s walked.

How heaven sent its mighty king to ransom what was lost.

Our cuts and scrapes may leave us feeling beaten and bruised

But light takes hold as we see the dawn break on an empty cross and tomb

On the far side of this valley, it all becomes so clear – how the God of Heaven

Bridged a gap that allows us to draw near

So breathe it in, God’s grace in this breath.

Breathe it in – full mercy in this air.

Breathe it in – the joy of overcoming a mount that seemed so steep

On the far side of this valley – he’s prepared a place for you.  Take a moment to take it all in

And breathe…