Siri-less Valleys

"Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth"- Luke 3:5 (NIV).

I used to be the map reader in my family. The map was essential to get us to our destination, since I have no sense of direction. Then technology gave us Siri and "maps" became an app on my phone, not one I struggled folding up, usually stuffing in the glove compartment of the car. Metaphorically speaking, maps, nor Siri, will get us through the valleys of our life: the trials and tribulations we all go through. The valleys of life are not enjoyable routes to take and there are no alternate routes. You either go on or stop. To stay, means wandering through more of the same and feeling defeated. To go on, means there is eventual deliverance from the valley ahead. We have something better than a map or Siri for life's valleys, we have a Reference (the Bible), plus a personal Guide (the Holy Spirit). Thank God we are not left to our own resources. Today's Scripture promises our valleys are only temporary; there will be a day when valleys will no longer exist. Until then, God meets us in each valley of struggle, and there will be many, and carries us through. King David was in the midst of one of his valleys when he wrote: "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4 ). On your journey through your current valley, or the next to come, if you see stragglers wandering around lost in their valley, offer to tell them about your Reference and Guide. We are promised to be God-led during our Siri-less valleys.