For the past month, I’ve had tunnel vision. Metaphorically speaking, I can only focus on a specific thing, and I’m neglecting an eternal perspective. Heartache, hardship takes center stage. I try to zoom out and look around me. Try to look to the heavens where my help comes from. Then a word or image and I’m back…
Walking through a dark narrow tunnel. I wait for the light. You know…the light at the end of the tunnel. Only, there’s not even a glimmer of hope this tunnel ever ends. Dark thoughts consume my mind. I don’t have the mental energy to keep walking, and who knows how long I’m gonna be here.
A frantic thought seizes me. Maybe there is no light.
“It is the bold Christian who can sing God’s sonnets in the darkness.”
C.S. Spurgeon
Heaven forbid! To give up hope in the Living God? To stop walking by faith instead of sight? To cease believing in God’s goodness and His unwavering love for me? To ignore God’s promises and the countless times He’s proven Himself to me?
Nope! Not gonna happen. I’ve come too far to go backwards. If I’m gonna have tunnel vision, let me focus on You, Lord. Not my circumstances or disappointments. But choosing to be still and focus on Jesus is more energy than I can muster. I can’t do this on my own. Not now. Not in this tunnel where the darkness envelopes me.
Then I remember God’s strength is perfected in weakness. I remind myself, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). One day at a time!
By His grace, I stand and take a baby step of faith. Trusting God’s heart when I can’t see His face. Even in this … long, dark tunnel.
Photos: Karen Foster
Even In This 