There is more to life than meets the eye. Travel with me beyond the façade of everyday life to explore that which lies beneath the surface… In the blog post where I explored the meaning of my blog title, I explained that “The Light From The Deep” is the Light of Jesus as well as the love experienced and insights gained as a result of the journey beyond the façade of everyday life and Into The Deep. And now I’d like to share more about this journey Into The Deep, a three-level excursion and life-changing event.
We begin our journey at The Surface. The place where day-to-day life take place. A place where it is easy to become so overwhelmed by the “noise” of daily living that we often find ourselves struggling just to keep up. Instead of truly living, we end up simply going through the motions, completing tasks and errands on autopilot and participating in mindless conversations during which superficial pleasantries and words are exchanged to fill the uncomfortable silence. Conversations in which no real connections are made and the words are forgotten as soon as they’ve left our mouths. This is the place where we start to wonder if there is more to life than meets the eye and we long for something to fill the emptiness in our souls. If you can relate, I encourage you to join me on this journey Into The Deep.
Below The Depths
The first leg of the journey takes us into The Depths. The place just below The Surface where the noise isn’t quite so loud and the silence is welcoming. One that offers the time and space to begin the process of quieting our minds and settling our souls.
We need to be vigilant when traveling through The Depths, for it is only meant to be a pass-through point, not a permanent place of residence. Spending too much time in The Depths can be like taking a drug, one that numbs us into a state of complacency or apathy, a state in which we begin to drift aimlessly, feeling no fear or pain. And one in which we just might end up trapped in a bubble of denial or a cocoon of nothingness.
Through The Dark
The trek through The Depths leads us to The Dark, that place beyond the nothingness where emptiness, brokenness, hurt, and despair reside. The place that houses all our troubles and fears.
This level can be challenging and painful, tempting us to turn back and get lost in the silence of The Depths. However, the journey must go on. We need to power through and dive deeper, to the place where the Light meets the dark.
Into The Deep
This is where we come face to face with the Light. The light of Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. The Light that offers peace and comfort, knowledge and wisdom, healing and strength, joy and hope. At this level we are warmed by His love and encouraged by the insights we receive as a result of this encounter.
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of the darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6
The journey doesn’t end here, however, for the path is a cyclical one. After our time in The Deep, we need to make our way back to The Surface. But not alone.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Filled with His love, wisdom and hope, we are armed to face the fears, hurts and challenges of The Dark as well as the temptations of The Depths.
We return to The Surface filled with The Light From The Deep and a fresh perspective that enables us to shine brightly and live a more meaningful and purposeful life there.
The journey Into The Deep is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process that leads to Deep Life Living, the topic of my next post.
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