Life is a journey. Enjoy the ride. There will be ups and downs. Peaks and valleys. But is that an accurate metaphor for life? Is life really made up of peaks and valleys? And if so, what does the Bible say about enjoying the ride?
I love metaphors. Yes, I know you think it’s because I am a former English teacher, and that may be partially true. But I think I love metaphors because they help me understand things that are abstract, theoretical, or philosophical, concepts that are hard to wrap my mind around. They are solid, concrete pictures that help me see, feel, hear, and touch in tangible ways.
IS LIFE AS A JOURNEY A USEFUL METAPHOR OR NOT?
Thus, the metaphor of life as a journey holds a lot of meaning for me. But let me unpack that a little more because this comparison can go in so many different directions. And, for some of you, may even seem cliché and ubiquitous.
THE UPS AND DOWNS OF LIFE AS A JOURNEY
In the past few months, I have encountered many highs and lows (as I am sure you have!). These life experiences can be described as the valleys and peaks. At one point, I am on the mountaintop filled with joy and gratitude, and the next, I am wandering alone in the deep, dark valley, downcast, and discouraged.
The highs bring joy, exhilaration, and a sense of confidence. The view from the top is expansive and breathtaking: “I am King of the Hill!”
At the bottom, you can feel like a lowly worm: small, insignificant, with no hope of ever crawling out.
Peak…valley.
Up…down.
High…low.
Can you relate to this familiar pattern?
THINK OF THE JOURNEY OF LIFE AS RAILROAD TRACKS
But is that the best metaphor for the journey of life?
I used to think so until I read an interview with Rick Warren that helped me approach this a little differently. He offers an alternative way of looking at the journey:
I used to think that life was hills and valleys – you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don’t believe that anymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it’s kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life. No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.”
Rick Warren
That makes so much more sense, doesn’t it?
Because when I am in the valley, all I do is hope and pray for a way out. And when I reach the summit, I just keep wondering when I am going to come tumbling down. It’s one crazy rollercoaster ride that does not allow me to grow and learn in the valley or rejoice and relax at the peak.
So the railroad metaphor is much illustrative and useful for me because it helps me embrace both the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, and struggles and the victories as all part of the same journey.
UNDERSTANDING LIFE AS A JOURNEY
Picture the railroad tracks winding through the valley and climbing up towards the heights in a gentle, steady rhythm. These excerpts from The Valley Of Vision, a Puritan prayer, beautifully express how looking at the peaks and valleys alongside one another not only teach us about life but give us a complete and accurate picture of our relationship with God.
THE VALLEY OF VISION
Thou has brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights…
Lord, in the daytime stars, can be seen from 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.
The Valley of Vision, edited by Arthur Bennett
EMBRACING THE HIGHS & LOWS ON THE JOURNEY OF LIFE
Seeing the railroad tracks as parallel paths of the highs and lows in our lives enables us to embrace the whole journey. If pain and pleasure coexist, then we have to acknowledge them as working together to move us along the path.
You cannot separate the rails and get to where you are going.
The other reason the railroad metaphor works for me is that it forces me to be present for both the good and bad, the highs and the lows. I cannot linger too long in the valley of despair, nor can I camp out on the mountaintop.
Being fully present is often the most obvious yet overlooked part of this process.
C.S. Lewis wrote to Mrs. Ray Garrett on the real program of the spiritual life—living in the present moment:
The whole lesson of my life has been that no ‘methods of stimulation’ are of any lasting use. They are indeed like drugs—a stronger dose is needed each time and soon no possible dose is effective. We must not bother about thrills at all. Do the present duty—bear the present pain—enjoy the present pleasure—and leave emotions and ‘experiences’ to look after themselves.”
(Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume III, 12 September 1960)
GOD’S PLAN FOR ENJOYING LIFE’S JOURNEY
The apostle Paul offers similar advice when he shares with us the secret to living a life of contentment:
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength .
Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)
- God wants us to embrace all of life…
- To be present for all of life…
- And to learn to be content with all of life…
And walking with Jesus gives us the strength to do this while making the most of life’s journey.
My challenge for you is to choose the Valley of Vision prayer, the quote from C.S. Lewis, and/or the scripture verse from Philippians. Write or print them out and post them in a place you will see every day. Be fully present by embracing both pain and pleasure and allow God to give you perspective in the valleys as well as the peaks.
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Just excellent and something every believer strives to master. I believe it is the “abiding” spoken of multiple times in the Bible that allows us to live life as God intended for us, no matter what we are experiencing at the time. Thank you for this new and super-useful analogy!
Thank you, Sarah! The concept of “abiding” is helpful too. I have had to force myself lately to see the bright stars from the valley…and it is a daily conscious choice.
Lord help to remember I can’t separate the rails – help me to submit. Thank You, Amen.
Hmmmm.another way t look at this is what the bible says in John 16:33 that we shall have troubles and tribulations in this world. This means that for as long as we are here on earth, we can escape experiencing challenges and bad situations. But there is always something God wants us to learn from each situation we pass through .
Thanks for this illustration
Absolutely! Thank you so much for sharing that insight from God’s word. It is such a good reminder. Blessings to you, Ayodeji!
Yes. Good perspective. I like the quotes by Rick Warren and C.S. Lewis.
I love this and needed it so much today. Thank you for a new perspective😍
I am so thankful that it encouraged you, Lora! God wants to use both the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, for our good and His glory. He is faithful!