When you think of the greatest inspirations in music, or in a sermon, or in a book, or in a testimony, you rarely think of those inspirations coming from the mountaintop of life, though the mountaintop provides some encouragement. But greatness comes from the valley of a life lived in triumph through the face of trouble and adversity. Greatness comes from the dark night of the soul experiences in the valleys of life. The only thing that can speak to the sorrows of others is the fellowship of their suffering.
BeBe Winans was with me this week on the occasion of celebrating my 50th year in ministry. BeBe is a friend who loves at all times, and a brother born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17) He is a man that is priceless in his loyalty and his integrity. Though he has spent a great deal of his life on the mountaintop, BeBe knows what it means to struggle in the valley. Through BeBe’s songs, you find his testimony.
On the show BeBe told of a time when he was with the renowned poet, Maya Angelou and she offered this advice: “BeBe, promise me that you will learn to enjoy the struggle.”
Simplistic? Yes, but be very sure that there is more wisdom in those few words than many long, flowing dissertations and even countless books written by those who have not been in the valley and know not its struggles and its triumphs. It’s in the valley that the Word of God becomes your rhema. It’s in the valley that you are given the understanding that in your weakness, He is strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
During the show, BeBe sang a song by Donnie McClurkin, “Stand” which he and CeCe have performed many times. A key line in the chorus of this song says “after you’ve done all you can… Stand!” You can’t sing this song with the fervor and believability BeBe sings it with – without having been to the valley. If you didn’t catch this show on our ‘live-streaming’ internet, be sure you watch next week when it airs on regular television programming.
BeBe told me “You have been an example and a blessing to me and my entire family.” It doesn’t get any better than that, except to hear: “Well done, Good and Faithful Servant.”
Pastor Jim and Lori
I to loved your show and watched every night( TCT) buffalo NY at 12 am.The other day I turn on the TV, your show is no longer being broadcasted.DO you know why they stop sending this wonderful program?
Sincerely Iriso
Pastor Jim, I heard a rumor that the Obama administration took North Korea off a list of contires that support terriorist, and replaced it with Israel. I looked it up and found a few articles on it, but nothing mainstream because this would be big news. I was woundering if you could find out if this is true. Thank you and God bless you.
He is with us in the valley and with us on the mountaintop. The
Blood that Jesus shed for us will never, ever lose it’s power.
It is in the valley times of life that I have seen the greatest
miracles of life. For it is in the valley that he restores my
soul. He is God of the mountain and God of the valley. His strength
never fails, his understanding is infinite. Our Great King is wise
our Good Shepherd leads us and we are safe.
I always wondered why the Lord said that we parish for lack of knowledge and also that we parish for lack of vision. During the singing of this song I believe the Lord showed me we get knowledge in the valley and we get vision on the mountain. We need both.
Anita, I love what you wrote, We get knowledge in the valley and we get vision on the mountain. That is right on.. Thank you