“And God said, “Let there be light: and there was light.’” (Genesis 1:3 KJV)
Often in incorporated in church dialogue are words describing how we conquer mountains and catapult out of the valley with the help of God. Not often do we use the analogy of tunnels in reference to those segments on the road of life where the darkness ahead of us seems too long. Yet today, to help us when we find ourselves going through one of the tunnels on the road of life, we have an encouraging word for you.
First, however, think of the long tunnels you have actually driven through, traveling in your car through places you have not been before. If you have not driven or rode in a car where the tunnel caused anxiety and you desired to reach the light at the end of the tunnel, let me share something about actual long tunnels.
Twice on vacation to the Smokey Mountains, I drove my family through the Spur Tunnel, a 4.2-mile section of a highway that connected Gatlinburg with Pigeon Forge. While the children might have reacted like they were on an amusement park ride, my reaction was totally different. I had some hidden anxiety, concerned about the structure of the highway and fearful that we might just be driving through it would collapse. The good news is, we always made it and saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
Driving from south Boston where I had to close down one of a previous employer location, I had to drive through the Ted Williams Tunnel which is 1.6 miles long. Knowing that I was heading to a place I had never visited in person, charge with informing long-term employees that their jobs would be ending was stressful enough. No one likes to be the bearer of bad news. But my stress level was increased as I drove through this tunnel, a large portion of it which is under water. Traffic was moving slow, and it seemed like I would never get to the light at the end of the tunnel. But I kept creeping forward, knowing that the darkness was not going to last forever.
Thank God that I am not an international traveler, and I never have been to Norway where there is the Laerdal Tunnel, fifteen mile in length. Driving through that tunnel would have taken a long time and the dangers created by other drivers exceeding the speed limit would make one tremble with fear. But after several minutes, 18 minutes if there was no traffic, and even longer in peak driving time, one could still have hope to reach the light at the end of the tunnel.
Listen, in life, we will go have experiences where darkness is all around us, and it seems like the light at the end of the tunnel will never come. When that happens or if that is happening, do not fret. There is light at the end of the tunnel on the road of life. Yes, even when we have to deal with grief, lots of pain or problems, or the loss of long-time sustaining provisions, remain hopeful. Don’t give up! Keep looking to God for wisdom and counsel. Be assured that on the road of life, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Please share this with someone that you know who is going through a tunnel to help heighten their hope for a brighter day ahead. Let’s keep trusting God, my friend. Let’s keep looking to Jesus, the Light of the World! Be blessed!
“Then I will lead the blind along a path they never knew to places where they have never been before. I will change darkness into light for them. I will make the rough ground smooth. I will do these things for them; I will not abandon my people.” (Isaiah 42:16 Easy-to-Read Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King