Valleys, Shadows, Weeping - What Plan?

There is a book called The Tapestry, written by Edith Schaeffer, wife of well-known theologian of the 1970s and 80s, Francis Schaeffer, wherein she shared her thoughts of why we often cannot understand God's plan in our lives.

She likened our lives to a tapestry, and said that we see events and circumstances in this life from "underneath - looking up".  All it looks like is mixed up threads, jumbled colors, crossed stitches, knots and cut threads.  In other words, a mess.

But the Master weaver, sees the design from above looking down, and He alone can see the whole pattern, in its beauty, its symmetry, its planned design.

The Cross and The Switchblade, Wilkerson's first book, was probably the first book I ever read, written by a Christian that was also a modern best-seller.  I was about 15 or 16 at the time and had not yet discovered C.S. Lewis. Years later, it was my privilege to hear David Wilkerson in person and I was struck by how humble he seemed, despite his fame and influence.

It does not surprise me that he acknowledged that when we are walking through "the valley of the shadow of death" there are some "dark, awful nights" full of weeping.  He did not try to sugar coat the truth.

I find it encouraging that after over fifty years of active ministry, he was still saying the same things he had always taught.  Right up to the day God called him home.

If you are also going through dark nights, valleys and shadows, I encourage you to do as David Wilkerson suggested, let God embrace you.  Our human inclination is sometimes to resist God's comfort just when we need it the most.  We are angry and afraid, and we turn inward, as our shoulders shake with both fury and silent weeping.

Instead of inward, let us turn our eyes upward, where our Father in heaven is, He truly is, watching over us, whether we feel like it right now or not.  Wilkerson knew this as he drove on that Texas highway, on April 27th, when God said "Welcome home, David."

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I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.  (II Timothy 4:7-8 NIV)

Please visit our hostess today, Debbie over at Heart Choices.