Light at the End of the Tunnel

Have you ever heard that old adage, “a light at the end of the tunnel”?
That’s a rhetorical question: I’m sure you have. 🙂
It is usually said in an attempt to be comforting, hopeful, calming, reassuring.

Have you ever found yourself searching for that light?
How will you know when you’ve seen it?
What if the end of one tunnel is simply the beginning of another tunnel?

How do I know what I’m looking for?
What kind of tools do I need in order to see it?

Will I trip over it, stumbling, and suddenly realize that I just clumsily fell out of the tunnel and into the light without even knowing the end was nearly there?
Do I need binoculars? Maybe a catadioptric telescope?
Perhaps I simply need to perform a quick buff of my glasses lenses or replace my contact lenses?

The thing is, if you are looking for a physical light, an actual end to a tangible tunnel, you might find that new contacts, clean glasses, a super strong telescope, a pair of binoculars, or even suddenly blinking might indeed be enough to help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.

But more often than not, this phrase is not said about a physical reality but about a hope or belief that a difficult situation may be soon to conclude.

Do you think the saints listed in Hebrews 11 looked for a light at the end of the tunnel?

Hebrews 11:1-3, 13
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
…These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

As Christians, what light are we looking for? How do we endure dark tunnels? What is the purpose of a tunnel anyway? Where does it take us? Will we recognize the light when it appears?

2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Oh, the comfort of knowing that trials and tribulations are temporary. Whether we plan ends to them ourselves, or see the Lord working conclusions for us, or simply look ahead in faith for the redemption of all things by the Great Redeemer Himself ~ the darkness will indeed be put away, and the Lord will be THE light; there will be no more darkness, no more trials, no more “tunnels.” Thanks be to God, our Great Redeemer and Comforter!

Isaiah 60:19-20
The sun shall be no more
    your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon
    give you light;
but the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your God will be your glory.
Your sun shall no more go down,
    nor your moon withdraw itself;
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your days of mourning shall be ended.

All praise be to God, we as His children have this glorious reality to look toward! What a joy! What a balm when enduring affliction! What incredible hope when we are uncertain what lies ahead in the near future!

My friends, look to the Lord, Jesus is the Light of the world. He is the One to keep your eyes on when the darkness is closing in around you.

John 8:12
Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

You don’t need a telescope or glasses or even eyeballs to see Him. You need faith. And how do you acquire that? It is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God”). Amen.