The Highway to Heaven Passes through the Valley of Tears

While living for two years in the Muslim world, I was impressed by their devotion, albeit misdirected, to the daily prayer ritual. How many Christians would cease all activity five times a day to kneel and pray! More to the point of this teaching, a devout Muslim also demonstrates his faith by a pilgrimage to Mecca (called Hajj). Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it is obliged to do a Hajj at least once in his lifetime.

The concept of pilgrimage is not unique to Islam. The Hebrews journeyed once a year to their city of worship—Jerusalem: a difficult trip for many through valley and desert. The Psalmist writes: “Blessed are those who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Tears, they make it a place of blessing…they go from strength to strength till each appears before God in Zion.” (Ps. 84:5-7)

Israel’s first such pilgrimage to “Zion” occurred after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. Their 40-year journey was their ‘valley of tears,’ as they grumbled and complained—some even wanting to return to Egypt. But before we judge them too harshly, we should ask ourselves this question: How quickly do we complain when God takes us through a valley of tears?

Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan teaches us an important lesson: the pilgrimage to God’s Promised Land passes through a wilderness. After you hear God’s voice promising to bless you, don’t be surprised to find that what happens next is the opposite of what you expected. It was no mistake: the Bible says God “led” them into the Wilderness.

Don’t be surprised by the valleys you will encounter on your “highway to Heaven.” Like the faithful Hebrews, set your heart to endure the journey. God promises you won’t faint along the way, but will actually find the pilgrimage a blessing as you go from “strength to strength.”