- Today signified an end to our week at the beach. As we drove back towards home, we once again passed through the tunnel in Mobile. The children were all sleeping, and as we passed silently through the millions of tiny tiles, I was reminded of a book I read as a teenager. I retold the story to my spouse as we drove. It had stuck in my mind over the years, more so than other parts of the book, because I found the thought of it personally terrifying. In the story a worldwide epidemic broke out, killing the majority of population earth. As survivors, immune to the outbreak, began to emerge, the main character is found fleeing Manhattan. His only way to exit the island is through the Lincoln Tunnel. The tunnel is completely blocked by abandoned cars that had tried to flee the city, and also bodies, as dying people tried in vane to escape the sickness. The tunnel is roughly 8,000 feet long. To escape the island, in an attempt to find other survivors and rebuild a semblance of existence, he must make the journey through the tunnel, blind. It’s interior was pitch black and he had brought no flashlight in his haste. He made the entire trip through the tunnel, climbing over vehicles, bodies, and no telling what else, in total darkness, feeling his way along, but with no truly clear idea of what direction he was going in, or even if he was heading successfully towards the exit. The way the tunnel curves down before coming back up does not immediately allow a “light at the end of the tunnel” to be visible. The thought of traveling in absolute darkness, with no light to guide you, is beyond frightening to me.
- My husband and I usually keep each other awake on a long car ride by talking and telling stories to each other. In addition to the tunnel story from my book, he told me about a movie he watched at the theater this past week. I initially asked him about it just to get him talking, as I could see his eyes growing heavy, but once he got going, I was drawn into the plot-line. It was a movie about astronauts in space. A series of unfortunate events led to us finding the heroine in dire straights. She was disconnected from her space station and was sent hurdling through space. With no gravity, and nothing to tether her in place, she was on an out of control trajectory through a vast space. She was spinning and hurdling, and would continue this course unless something could grab hold of her and anchor her to safety and stability. With nothing in sight but endless black, she was in a panic. And I imagine I would be too.
- Both situations to me signified what life must be when you live outside of God’s presence. Even if you don’t acknowledge Him as the one true God, He still reigns. But I imagine a life completely without God would be just like hurdling through a vast, endless space, out of control, with nothing to keep you grounded. Hell must be like that, with no sound, spinning on and on pointlessly.
As we drove along on our journey home, the baby awoke from a long nap. Her car seat faces the back of the van’s seat, so when she woke, she could see no one. The car seat canopy was up and effectively blocked her view of her sister beside her. Both of the other girls were silently asleep, and even my husband and I had fallen silent at the time. When she awoke, feeling alone, she cried out in fear. I reached my hand back to her, over the side of her seat and placed it one her arm. She stopped crying immediately and began to laugh. All she needed was a presence, to know she wasn’t alone after all.
I often think of those who don’t know Jesus, or are unaccepting of God as their creator, and I imagine it must be so lonely, so empty feeling to not have anyone who is in control and keeps you tethered safely. I imagine it must be like making your way blindly, in complete darkness, just feeling around to find your way. Once you accept Jesus as your Savior and give God control, He fills you with a light to lead your way, and makes all your paths straight. There is no more spinning pointlessly or struggling to find your way on your own. You are never alone anymore. When you cry out in fear, His hand is there. He comforts you. Always and forever, keeping you from spinning out of control.
That is all 🙂