Right: Forging New Paths Through the Valleys of the Unknown

The new year often brings with it excitement at new possibilities, but it also brings with it a lot of the unknown. It’s easy to struggle knowing which way is the right way to forge ahead. How do we face all that is to come…the good and the bad, the planned and the unexpected?

It’s hard to believe a new year is already upon us. The older I get, and really I’m not old at all, the faster time seems to move. Still, with each new year comes a sense of new beginnings. The struggles of the last year are met with a renewed hope that this year could be the year of finally seeing God’s promises fulfilled. Anticipation at what may come and perhaps a tinge of nervousness about the unknown propel us to look at the future feeling ready to make the coming year better than ever…at least that’s what we plan, right?

As we enter together into a new year, I want to look to a well known psalm to give us a well balanced view into what lies ahead—both what we know and what remains unknown. I want us to anchor our anticipation of what we expect to happen and our uneasiness of the unknown which occurs without warning in the One who is with us through all of it. So let’s take a look at Psalm 23 (HCSB).

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.
Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

Right: When the path makes sense

There is so much in these six verses. I’m not going to take one verse at a time, but I want us to look at each thought chunk. No one knows everything that will happen in the coming year. However, we can start each year with the truth that God is our Shepherd.

He guides us, His sheep, along the journey prepared for us. As such, there will be places on the path this coming year that are still, peaceful, calm. There will be green pastures and quiet waters to rest and refresh and renew our lives in. These are the paths that feel right. When I am in green pastures, calmed by the sound of quiet waters gently flowing, all seems right in my world. I breathe easy. There is a lightness to life in these renewing and refreshing places along the path.

Right: When the path turns unexpectedly

However, sometimes I find the path taking me down a dark turn. The road turns rocky, and I quickly lose my balance. Stumbling over stubble I didn’t see, I fall. The unexpected leaves me beaten up and bruised. The darkness surrounding me finds me fearing the unknown that lies ahead. Certainly I took a wrong turn. Nothing about these parts of the path feel right. Surely, I’ve wandered down the wrong trail.

Yet the right paths David, the psalmist, mentions go from green pastures and quiet waters of renewal right into the darkest valley. Many translations call it “the valley of the shadow of death.” The dark places in life, they can feel that way, can’t they. David acknowledges that our Lord, our Shepherd leads us on paths that include the dark valley—“even when.” There is no if. The right path He leads us on for His name’s sake will make its way through darkness and valleys.

While in the darkness, the lies are easier to believe because I cannot see. I retreat within myself thinking I am safer only trusting me.  Shrunk into myself, I listen to the lies running on repeat in my head and forget the truth. I find myself trapped, afraid to take the next step without knowing where it will take me…is it leading me to the way out? Is it taking me deeper into the darkness, further into the valley? I feel certain I am alone.

Right: An anchor to steady stumbling feet

Thankfully, there is comfort even in the darkness, in the valleys I must travel through one step at a time.  Even in that valley where darkness surrounds me and panic easily takes over, I do not have to fear.  I am not alone.  Danger may lurk in the darkest valley, but I can take comfort knowing it will not overtake me.  God is with me.  Though I may not see Him in the dark, He is still there.  He has not, He will not, leave me.

Dear ones, when you too find yourself in the dark or the valley, afraid and feeling alone, remember this one truth. He is with you. When you don’t see the danger up ahead, He does. He is still a good Shepherd, and He cares for you even in the valley of the shadow of death. This path is still right. His kingdom purposes are still working in your life. Though you may not see, He is the God who sees. Though you may stumble and fall, He will lift you up and place your feet on solid ground again. Fear no evil, for your God is with you in the darkness, the valley, the unknown.

We cannot know what lies around the corner. Perhaps around the bend the light dawns and quiet waters bring much needed renewal. Or maybe just around the bend the light dims and darkness sets in. The unknown is often frightening itself. Yet we know, our Shepherd guides us and stays with us both through green pastures and dark valleys. In the end, when our path on earth is complete, we find the path—with the darkness and the pastures—lead us to dwell in our Father’s house forever.

Right: Considering the path ahead

Whether we are in green pastures by quiet waters or stumbling our way in the darkest valley, we must anchor ourselves on the truth that God is with us in all of it. The times we feel we must have taken a wrong turn, we find assurance that this valley is still the right path, and God is still with us. Other times, while He renews us by quiet waters in green pastures, we breathe deeply of His faithfulness to always lead the way.

As you enter into this new year, as you walk the path laid out before you, remember this one truth. The Lord, your Shepherd, guides you.

Are you in green pastures? The Lord, your Shepherd, renews you there. Breathe deeply. He is with you.

Are you in the darkest valley? The Lord, your Shepherd, sees for you there. Take heart. He is with you.

Are you fearful of the unknown ahead of you? Fear not. The Lord, your Shepherd, is with you.

If you have found this inspiring, share the encouragement…

While in the darkness, the lies are easier to believe because I cannot see. Click To Tweet

jens johnsson

The valley is dark and full of unknowns, but God loves us. In this love, fear no longer remains.