Nothing is Named in the Valley

I work with several men who have served our country in the military – so much of our watering hole conversations have a bit of that flair.   There are a few people who walk during their lunch hour and today they were discussing the route to take.  “I love charging a hill!” one said.  “Man, I don’t.” the other one chimed in!  I joined in with “You love charging hills because you were in the Army.  Isn’t that an Army thing?!”

“We used to name the hills we were charging – you always charge a hill!” He said.  He wouldn’t agree that he was glowing as he talked.  But he was.  You could tell he was recalling days of Army glory past.  I’ve grown to appreciate that glow.  It visits our home every so often when Favorite Husband recalls Navy glory days past.

Then it happened.  Another lightning bolt.

“Nothing’s named in the valley!  You always name the hill you’re charging – but you don’t charge a valley – nothing’s named in the valley!” He proclaimed.

I had to stop him.  “Oh, man that’s really good!” I yelled – and everything in me lit up like a pinball machine!

Nothing’s named in the valley.

 “Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”

Joshua 14:12

I’ve always let others name my mountain.  I’ve let situations, rejection, toxic people or even the enemy of my soul name my mountain.  And you know what – now that I think about it – I don’t know that I’ve really driven the enemy out of it, either.

Naming a mountain means that you’re owning it.

There are mountains that are just there in our lives.  It doesn’t matter anymore WHY they are on our horizon.  They just are.  What are we going to do about it?  That which is nameless – isn’t owned.  You can’t grab hold of and conquer what you refuse to own and name.

Nothing’s named in the valley.

I have been reading about the simplicity of prayer and the choices we make.  I don’t wonder if too often we’re grabbing the swords, ready to fight some complex intense battle with an unseen enemy, when the actual victory comes from just a simple prayer and daily choices.  I know that there are times when we are facing an enormous battle and we are called to arms.  I have friends that I’m praying for which are facing life altering battles.  Even for them, my prayer has been simple lately – “God you are good.  Please be God in that situation and in their life! Give them today, their daily bread.”  I know they’re in a valley.

Nothing’s named in the valley.  Just let that roll around a bit today.