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Through the Tunnel
After the meeting at 5:00 pm, I had gathered all my tangible possessions, placed them in a small box, and quietly left the building. I went directly to my car, placed the box into the trunk, got in my car, and just drove to nowhere in particular. That little box in the trunk contained plaques from the wall in my former office, and pictures of my wife and two daughters; Pictures that had graced my desk for many years.
It’s difficult to know just what to feel, when the company that you’ve served for 15 years, tells you, without emotion, that your services are not required anymore. I felt hurt, betrayed, and then angry! I felt that I had done my best; it was not my fault the company had made bad management decisions. But, here I was, unemployed after 15 years. Where was the loyalty?
I could not bring myself to go straight home, just now. How can I tell my wife, “Honey, I’ve just lost my job after fifteen years?” How can I face my two teenage daughters, who depend on their father to provide for them? I didn’t know the answers to those questions, so I drove aimlessly, as one who is lost. Perhaps I am lost, I thought. After all, what company will come running to hire a 52 year-old, when it’s a young man’s world in the workplace? I was brought back to reality, when my car sputtered and came to a premature halt; in these moments of despair I had forgotten to stop for gasoline!
I got out, locked the car, and started walking in the direction I was going when the gas ran out. There was no need to walk back the way I had come, as I didn’t recall seeing gas stations along the way. Perhaps I could find a station up the street. I noticed that I had driven into an unfamiliar neighborhood; as I continued to walk, darkness was settling all around me.
Suddenly I came to an obstruction, blocking my way! I now stood in front of the mouth of a huge cave—more like a very dark tunnel. It had an extremely large opening; and it stretched as high as I could see. My first thought was that in my state of emotion, my mind was playing a very nasty trick on me. I tried to go around the opening of the tunnel, but there appeared to be no end to the width of the opening on either side. This ugly and frightening tunnel blocked my only path.
I reached into my pocket for my car keys. On the key ring I kept a pen-size flashlight. I snapped it on and realized how useless its small beam would be to guide me through this very dark tunnel. No! I just can’t go in there! My lifetime fears of the dark and things unknown brought numbness to my whole body. “Please,” I pleaded, to no one. “I just can’t go through this by myself. I’m afraid of what hides in the darkness of that tunnel.”
I gathered my senses enough to think of my cell phone! In my anxiety, I had forgotten about it. I kept my cell phone in my inside coat pocket, so I reached in, feeling better already. What my hand found was not a cell phone, but a small book. I removed it and shined the small beam of light from the penlight on this book in my hand.
The “book”, was a small New Testament with Psalms. I noticed that it had a small card as a bookmark between its pages. I opened it at the bookmark, being careful not to drop it in the darkness. The small light revealed one of my business cards; former business, that is. I then glanced at the place marked by the card. It opened to the book of Psalms—the 23rd Psalm! I noticed in the semi-light, that a couple of lines were highlighted with a blue marker: Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me!
Where did the little Bible come from? Where was my cell phone? It didn’t really matter anymore; I would not need a cell phone! I had The Master to guide me home. I felt His Spirit controlling me now. I knew that He would direct my steps. For although I cannot see light through this very dark period of time, He will be my very dependable guide. I now understand. I can’t go around or over the darkness; I must go through it. I returned the little Bible to my pocket and stepped into the tunnel.
As I walked along, I felt the touch of something firm, yet soft against my right hand. I’m not sure just how long I walked in the blackness of the tunnel, but the darkness began to fall away, giving way to light; light more beautiful than I had realized it could ever be. I had gone through the tunnel; with the help of my special guide. When I finally stepped outside, I reached for my coat pocked. The little “Book” was gone…in its place was a cell phone.
By: Jim Henson
To: The Glory of God
© July 19, 2002
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