"Faith includes noticing the mess, the emptiness and discomfort, and letting it be there until some light returns."~Anne Lamott
Over the past year in Florida, there have been instances of sinkholes opening up and devouring anything in their path. Human life, structures, plants, and animals were shown no mercy as the earth seemed to swallow in a beastly and selfish manner. The sinkholes haven't proven to be prejudice to particular neighborhoods either. Whether it be a theme park hotel, a home, a beautiful beachfront, or a road along the way, the sinkholes were more than willing to swallow with no attached guilt. Sinkholes are something we as humans have no control over. We never know when the earth below could buckle and send our lives spiraling into deep and dark places.
Life is full of mysteries that continue to puzzle the human mind. Illnesses, accidents, and life altering events continue to leave us wondering why some are taken hostage by the depth of darkness while others seem to escape the clutches of murkiness in their everyday lives. One may never know this answer, but it's important to know that survival is rooted in hope. We are creations with a built in "hope mode" that seeks light in darkness. Hope is at the heart of every survival skill that we come to learn and use in this journey through life. Even if hoped can't be sensed, it's there to tap into at anytime.
The sinkholes of the earth remind me of the invasion of depression in the body. Many people suffering from mental illness might agree that like sinkholes, one doesn't expect mental illness to entrench their life. While everything surrounding those that suffer may in reality be somewhat normal, churning inside the human brain lurks a destructive enemy looking for every opportunity to rob the brain of its normal processing. Dark-colored glasses view the reality of life in a cloudy and unrealistic way. Retreating to a safe place is often a place of isolation where the victim can avoid interaction with others. It's easier not to face others than deal with the illness's side effects that have worked overtime to convince the mind that it is not worthy to dwell with others in the human race. It's a mystery as to how and why this happens, but like the sinkholes, mental illness knows no prejudice. Any mind can become captive to this debilitating disease.
Most lives encounter some type of dark hole in one way or another. Recognizing the darkness is the first step in battling it. Having faith that God will travel with you through the darkness is what leads to the belief and hope that somehow, some form of light, will glimmer through or overcome the darkness. Anne Lamott may have put it best when she said, "Faith includes noticing the mess, the emptiness and darkness, and letting it be there until some light returns." The dark holes exist, and they cannot be wished away. Fortunately, our God is in the business of meeting us in the dark holes even if we've sought isolation. He refuses to let us struggle alone. He's there to comfort and lead us as we wander in blindness through the dark valleys. Our job when we encounter the dark places is to count on Him in and through all circumstances. Sometimes, we just have to let the darkness run its course and go into "hope mode."
Let us pray . . .
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of Light that can glimmer through and even overcome the darkness we travel through in this life here on earth. We give thanks that we are never alone regardless of how alone we may feel.
Amen.
