Daily Devotion - Wednesday, July 13

A Companion in a Dark Valley

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil…”
--An ancient song, Psalm 23:4

Over a decade ago I spent some time in a dark valley. The mission was in Nicaragua after Hurricane Mitch had devastated the countryside. Warring political forces some years before the great hurricane hit had occupied the mountains surrounding the valley. It was a dark valley. The nearest dusk to dawn light was 15 miles away. The town that became our home only had 4 houses with electricity and each of those houses had one 60-watt bulb. Believe me, it was a dark, dark valley. Yet, none of the mission team ever felt fear. As we built homes with the Nicaraguans we could feel God’s hope pouring into that dark valley.

Three years ago I spent 10 days in Rwanda with 2 dozen mental health ambassadors from the US and Canada. Our learning assignment was to look at the mental health conditions of that post-genocide culture. It was one of the darkest times in my life. Yet, none of us feared for our lives as we listened to the horrific stories.

Here at the hospital we encounter folks in their own form of a dark valley. For the sick, we, the workers, are God’s rays of healing. For the grieving, we point them toward the glimmering stars of reunion. For the dying, we spend time encouraging them to feel the flame of the eternal within. For those who are confused, we use the light of Sacred Writings. In the dark valleys of the personal journey, there is enough light. May your day bring light to those in darkness.

A prayer: God of mountain and God of valley, be with me today. Amen.

--Ben Keckler
07.13.11