Is there any greater calling of a leader?
At a lunch recently, I heard about the valley, the storm, the wilderness that my friend had been walking through. As we talked, I heard the emotional scars left from the valley. Listening, I quickly recall my storms. Some involved sickness and death, some involved my job, some involved money, so many come to mind.
One of my favorite pastors said that you are either in a storm, headed for a storm, or coming out of a storm.
The truth is that there is a wilderness that each will go through, a dip, a valley both professionally and personally. And, when you bring your family into the equation, multiply the number valleys.
The valley is that lonely place full of fear, with no direction to safety. A place where all hope seems to vanish. Nothing makes sense. You look for stability, a safety net, an anchor, but the world offers no peace. The valley causes panic, anxiety, and overwhelming thoughts. And, the valley comes swiftly.
The thing about the valley is that you will not see it coming. If you did, you would change course. After all, we spend our lives doing everything to avoid this wilderness.
But, if one can gather their bearings in the valley, vision can be found. In fact, there is great wisdom to be gained in the valley.
Ryan Holiday says it this way, “the obstacle is the way.”
Years ago, in my own valley, my wife dropped me the following prayer from Arthur Bennett’s “Valley of Vision.”
Lord, High and Holy, Meek and Lowly,
Thou has brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear a crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty
thy glory in my valley.
Regardless of one’s faith, I believe that prayer offers great insight for the valley. Although painful, the valley can be a place of vision and restoration.
As I survey the playing field around me today, I see many valleys that people are walking through. Each valley offers an opportunity to serve, listen, pray, support.
Despite the speed of the company and life, great leaders recognize the valleys in the lives of others, personally and professionally.
If you want a great culture, be the one that thrives on helping others walk through the valleys, both personally and professionally.
Life doesn’t happen in a silo. Don’t make the mistake of leading that way.
Impact others. Live generously.