Monday, December 30, 2024
46.6 F
Atlanta

The Valley of Faith, Not Fear

The 2000 movie “The Legend of Bagger Vance” is one of my favorite motivational films. I was recently talking to someone and speaking highly of the movie when they made the comment, “Well, I’m just not into golf.” I chuckled and said, “Then you may like it because it’s not about golf.”

If you’ve seen “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” you know it’s about life – particularly the low places we all find ourselves in from time to time. Matt Damon plays a man named Rannulph Junuh who has lost his sense of purpose after a traumatizing experience during World War I. Junuh tries to isolate himself from anything and anyone that reminds him of his past, including the game of golf.

Though he has given up on himself, not everyone has given up on him. He is asked to play in a golf tournament to generate local interest and, at first, uses sarcastic wit to brush off the request. But something is stirred by the request: a distant memory of his passion for golf. One night while half-heartedly hitting golf balls into a field, a stranger emerges from the darkness. This stranger takes on the challenge of helping Junuh “find his swing.” It is a process that transforms Junuh as a person and, in the process, makes him a better golfer.

The Valley of Faith

spiritual warfareSometimes we can have an issue in a particular area such as our family or a relationship that can affect all areas of our life. Until we find a resolution we feel stuck. I refer to these times as valleys as opposed to mountain tops.

Most of us feel like life would be perfect if we could avoid the valleys and stay on the mountain tops. I once heard a man say in church, “I met God on the way up, but I got to know Him on the way down.” That statement played over and over again in my mind.

God is Nigh in the Valley of Faith

The valleys need not be feared or dreaded. Rather these can be the times when we find ourselves closest to God. Psalm 91:1 offers us comfort that “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

In the movie, Junuh listens to what his mysterious new friend has to say at first. When his golf game begins to improve dramatically, he believes he no longer needs help. During the tournament, his game becomes sloppy. However his arrogance prevents him from asking his friend for advice, and his friend is not eager to rescue him. Junuh completely loses focus. Literally hitting his ball off course and into a wooded area, he finds himself again in the shadows. His mind begins swirling out of control. Before he completely loses hope, his friend is near him, talking him through his emotions, clarifying reality versus illusion and reassuring him of a good outcome.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says, “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God loves us so much that He allows us to end up in valleys. Sometimes we end up there because of our own doing. Other times life takes us in an unexpected direction through no fault of our own. Regardless of the reason, we have two choices: We can give up or have faith.

Valleys are where we are humbled. There, we can cling to Him and we can be transformed, emerging from the shadows stronger than before.

If you find yourself in a low time in a relationship, school experience, or job situation know that God can use this time to renew you. If you look back you will see that God has already shown Himself faithful to you time and time again. His promises are echoed throughout Scripture as stated in Romans 8:28 (NIV): “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

The outcome depends on your willingness to trust God. Think about it.

So, What’s The Play Call?

  1. What is your “valley” right now?
  2. Are you relying on God to help you in the situation, or are you trying to do it on your own?
  3. What would it look like for you to fully surrender to God in this area? In every area?

Let’s pray:

God, you have shown me Your mercy and blessings time and time again. I know You are good, and I trust that You will help me through these valleys. Just like Your Word promises, as I draw near to you, I know that You will draw near to me. I rely on Your grace today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”

 

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
oldest
newest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

HIGHLIGHTS

They Changed Their Minds about Slavery and Left a Bible Record

Two businessmen’s unusual conversion in 1700s South Carolina led them to liberate the people they put in bondage. At first glance, William Turpin and his business partner, Thomas Wadsworth, appeared to be like most other prestigious and powerful white men in late 18th-century South Carolina. They were successful Charleston merchants, had business interests across the state, got involved in state politics, and enslaved numerous human beings. Nothing about them seemed out of the ordinary. But, quietly, these two men changed their minds about slavery. They became committed abolitionists and worked to free dozens of enslaved people across South Carolina. When most wealthy, white Carolinians were increasingly committed to slavery and defending it as a Christian institution, Turpin and Wadsworth were compelled by their convictions to break the shackles they had placed on dozens of men and women. In an era when the Bible was edited so that enslaved people wouldn’t get the idea that God cared about their freedom, Turpin left a secret record of emancipation in a copy of the Scriptures, which is now in the South Carolina State Museum. Perhaps it’s not surprising that this story of faith and freedom is mostly unknown. The two men were, after all, working not to attract attention. Neither had deep roots in Charleston or close familial ties to its storied white “planter” dynasties. Turpin’s family was originally from Rhode Island, and Wadsworth was a native of Massachusetts who moved to South Carolina only shortly after the American Revolution. Both had public careers and served in the South Carolina Legislature, but their political profiles were not particularly high. Neither of them appeared to give any of their legislative colleagues the sense that they were developing strong, countercultural opinions on one of the most ...Continue reading...

Trolls Band Together in Theaters November 17th

Nothing's Stronger Than Family Harmony About This holiday season, get ready...

Are State Laws the Solution to Kids’ Access to Porn?

As data continues to show the harms of viewing porn, particularly for children, support for stricter legal limits on pornographers has grown.

The Burial: A Glimpse Into the Life of William Gary

The Burial: Based on a True Events About Inspired by true...

Pandemic Restrictions Had No Lasting Effect on Churches, Study Finds

Even in states where regulations were severe, most congregations moved on quickly. Jeff Schoch was ready to be done with COVID-19 health safety regulations. Like most ministers in the US, the pastor of Crossroads Bible Church in San Jose, California, did his best to comply with the many pandemic rules imposed by state and local governments. But as soon as they were lifted, he wanted to put them all behind him. He quickly tore down the state-mandated signs about social distancing, hand washing, and masks. “I got rid of every visual reminder in the church,” Schoch told CT. “I was anxious, personally, to make that a memory.” Across the country, Protestant congregations are dealing with the long-term impacts of the pandemic. A new, extensive study by Arbor Research Group and ChurchSalary, a ministry of Christianity Today, found that a lot of pastors are still in crisis. Some furloughed staff members haven’t gone back to work. And even when attendance numbers have rebounded, there are still people missing from many congregations. Christian leaders will likely be grappling with the fallout from COVID-19 for years to come. But, surprisingly, state-level pandemic restrictions had no measurable, lasting impact on American churches. Even in places like San Jose—where the county government imposed some of the strictest rules in the country, the restrictions changed frequently, and authorities aggressively went after churches they said failed to comply—pastors like Schoch were able to just move on. The data doesn’t show any adverse effects from the government regulations. Eric Shieh, a research consultant for Arbor Research, said that surprised him. “You would think that the restrictions made things tougher for churches. They didn’t meet as much, and so you’d ...Continue reading...

Topics

They Changed Their Minds about Slavery and Left a Bible Record

Two businessmen’s unusual conversion in 1700s South Carolina led them to liberate the people they put in bondage. At first glance, William Turpin and his business partner, Thomas Wadsworth, appeared to be like most other prestigious and powerful white men in late 18th-century South Carolina. They were successful Charleston merchants, had business interests across the state, got involved in state politics, and enslaved numerous human beings. Nothing about them seemed out of the ordinary. But, quietly, these two men changed their minds about slavery. They became committed abolitionists and worked to free dozens of enslaved people across South Carolina. When most wealthy, white Carolinians were increasingly committed to slavery and defending it as a Christian institution, Turpin and Wadsworth were compelled by their convictions to break the shackles they had placed on dozens of men and women. In an era when the Bible was edited so that enslaved people wouldn’t get the idea that God cared about their freedom, Turpin left a secret record of emancipation in a copy of the Scriptures, which is now in the South Carolina State Museum. Perhaps it’s not surprising that this story of faith and freedom is mostly unknown. The two men were, after all, working not to attract attention. Neither had deep roots in Charleston or close familial ties to its storied white “planter” dynasties. Turpin’s family was originally from Rhode Island, and Wadsworth was a native of Massachusetts who moved to South Carolina only shortly after the American Revolution. Both had public careers and served in the South Carolina Legislature, but their political profiles were not particularly high. Neither of them appeared to give any of their legislative colleagues the sense that they were developing strong, countercultural opinions on one of the most ...Continue reading...

Trolls Band Together in Theaters November 17th

Nothing's Stronger Than Family Harmony About This holiday season, get ready...

Are State Laws the Solution to Kids’ Access to Porn?

As data continues to show the harms of viewing porn, particularly for children, support for stricter legal limits on pornographers has grown.

The Burial: A Glimpse Into the Life of William Gary

The Burial: Based on a True Events About Inspired by true...

Pandemic Restrictions Had No Lasting Effect on Churches, Study Finds

Even in states where regulations were severe, most congregations moved on quickly. Jeff Schoch was ready to be done with COVID-19 health safety regulations. Like most ministers in the US, the pastor of Crossroads Bible Church in San Jose, California, did his best to comply with the many pandemic rules imposed by state and local governments. But as soon as they were lifted, he wanted to put them all behind him. He quickly tore down the state-mandated signs about social distancing, hand washing, and masks. “I got rid of every visual reminder in the church,” Schoch told CT. “I was anxious, personally, to make that a memory.” Across the country, Protestant congregations are dealing with the long-term impacts of the pandemic. A new, extensive study by Arbor Research Group and ChurchSalary, a ministry of Christianity Today, found that a lot of pastors are still in crisis. Some furloughed staff members haven’t gone back to work. And even when attendance numbers have rebounded, there are still people missing from many congregations. Christian leaders will likely be grappling with the fallout from COVID-19 for years to come. But, surprisingly, state-level pandemic restrictions had no measurable, lasting impact on American churches. Even in places like San Jose—where the county government imposed some of the strictest rules in the country, the restrictions changed frequently, and authorities aggressively went after churches they said failed to comply—pastors like Schoch were able to just move on. The data doesn’t show any adverse effects from the government regulations. Eric Shieh, a research consultant for Arbor Research, said that surprised him. “You would think that the restrictions made things tougher for churches. They didn’t meet as much, and so you’d ...Continue reading...

A Million Miles Away Trailer: Some Dreams Are Closer Than You Think

Catch "A Million Miles Away", inspired by the real-life story and grit of NASA flight engineer José Hernández

Shooting Stars Review: Young Lebron James & Friends, Managing the Pressure

Shooting Stars, depicting Lebron James and his childhood friends, gives us a glimpse of unity under pressure and bonds that last a lifetime.

Creed III Review and Michael B. Jordan’s Two-Word Sermon for Facing the Past

CREED III, ready to rumble on March 3rd. Read our review, including Michael B. Jordan's two-word sermon for viewers facing their past.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x