When we lived in Europe most of our travel was by air or train. Sometimes we traveled by car and would drive through the Alps. Switzerland and Austria have some very long tunnels – several miles in length.

Previous to our time in Europe, I had only passed through short tunnels in the United States. Most of which I could see light at the end of the tunnel when I entered. The tunnels in the Alps are different. They are long, dark, and heavy feeling. They can become disorienting because all familiar reference points are removed. What made these passages especially uncomfortable was the realization that thousands of feet of rock and dirt were above us held back only by the tunnel wall. We were surrounded by what seemed to be an oppressive, never-ending drive through darkness. I had to focus on driving, or I would begin to weave within my lane experiencing a version of vertigo.

Some of you have been driving your faith through a long, dark emotional tunnel. Like the tunnels through the Alps, there is no place to turn around. You can’t stop. You have to keep going. A collision would have catastrophic consequences. Trying to stay in the lane of the word the Lord spoke to you before you entered your tunnel of commitment has been a struggle. This has been a dark and unfamiliar season of passage with no familiar reference points. Stay in your lane a little longer and at some point up ahead you will begin to see the first glimmer of light letting you know this section of your journey will soon be complete. No tunnel is forever.