My my deepest longing and desire is to experience the abundant life—Christ’s Life—everyday and in every circumstance. This life is what Jesus called “the narrow way,” which few find. The road to destruction is wide and easy, attractive, comfortable and very familiar; it’s the road of ”walking after the flesh.” I’m very familiar with that road, so much so, I know that while it’s easy, it’s not profitable. Valley life will expose my flesh and convict me of it’s inability to give to me what only God can give.
Through Christ, made possible through our death and resurrection with Jesus, we have the ability to walk in the blessings of that life. No matter what trials befall us, we are already blessed with his life and everything we need to persevere and endure a fallen world. And despite the difficulties and suffering produced by a fallen world, we can enjoy his life.
Maybe I do qualify as the poster child for ”walking through the valley of the shadow of death,” because its those times that will reveal the spiritual conformation needed. Maybe I am living my life on the narrow road, if living on that road means that everything not reflective of Christ in me and who I am in him is weakened and frustrated by my valleys. Like Paul, I will gladly boast. “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.’” 2 Corinthians 12:9