A Tunnel, a Waterfall, and a Bug Bring Clarity
It was a series of odd “coincidences” in 2020 – the year “no one had perfect clarity” – when my husband and I lost all vision biking with friends in a tunnel I refer to as the “Tunnel of Terror.” It was a beautiful day, riding on a path along a gorgeous river until we entered it. The tunnel was going to be very dark, and our prescription sunglasses would not be a good idea, warned our friend. We quickly dismissed his advice. Of course, we thought we’d be fine.
We regretted that warning for the next half mile in that tunnel’s absolute darkness. White knuckling our bikes, fear gripped us as we pedaled in what felt like outer space getting nowhere. Nothing could be seen above, and the only thing below was the sound of our tires rolling on the path. I wondered if we were going to survive it. The thought of stopping was unthinkable! I trembled with fear as I imagined what creepy things lined its walls.
The only thing that pulled me forward were words of encouragement from my friend Wendy ahead of me. She guided and led me until a glint of light could be seen. My vision was restored, and my bearings regained. Most successfully, our friends led us to the light of the living world on the other side. Ah, we could breathe again!
Just down the trail from there, our friends guided us to more relief - Freedom Falls. Unexpected. Refreshing. Liberating. The immensity of its cascading flow tucked away in a pocket of the thick forest felt like a special reward for surviving the “Tunnel of Terror.”
We were soaking it all in when this same friend noticed the tiniest caterpillar barely moving across a large rock bit by bit. It had two heads, both with horns and a saddle on its back - a Saddleback Caterpillar. Fuzzy green and adorably small, it was incredibly tempting to pick up that created marvel we’d never seen before to embrace it with a closer look.
But something told us not to. And good thing we didn’t. That tiny little life was potentially lethal to touch.
Isn’t that how life goes sometimes? When we go through darkness and fear, we lose vision and our bearings. We suffer pain, sometimes feeling like we’re getting nowhere, even feeling like we’re never going to get out of it.
If we’re fortunate enough, we have a friend to encourage, guide, and lead us back to the light - to life again. And if we continue following that voice, eventually and sometimes unexpectedly down the road we are refreshed by something incredibly freeing - receiving living water from God Himself. (John 4:10)
In John 7, Jesus invites anyone to come to Him and drink. And if they believe in Him, a promise that rivers of living water will flow from within them. Pretty amazing.
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” – John 7:37-38 (NIV)
Of course, even though we may choose to drink His living water, we can still somehow become unaware of something adorably cute yet deceptive, like sin creeping near us. Our natural inclination is most often to embrace it with a closer look, not knowing that the teeny-tiny harmless cute thing is actually life-threatening with potentially long-lasting repercussions. But if we pause, listen, and follow the inner voice of His Spirit, we can be spared much trouble.
It seems reflecting on 2020 did bring some clarity to a few things after all.
Hold tight to the belief that the One Good Light will get you through tunnels of darkness. (John 12:46; 2 Corinthians 4:6)
If you don’t have the One Good Light with you yet, heed the advice of those leading you to the One Good Light. (John 3:16; 1 John 1:7)
Keep seeking the truly freeing refreshment in places you might not expect, in God’s Word, His people, and His creation. (Psalm 19:1, 7; Acts 3:19; 1 Corinthians 16:18)
Then soak it in. (Matthew 4:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:15)
While soaking in His life-flowing Word, be wary of anything that appears enticing to behold. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)
An enticing, seemingly good thing could be much more harmful than you think. (1 Peter 5:8)
And finally, listening for the inner voice of God’s Spirit could save your life. (Ezekiel 37:14; John 3:5-6; John 6:63; Romans 8:2; Revelation 2:7)