The Longest, Deepest, Darkest Journey – Part 1
Every day each of us takes many journeys. Some are long, some are short, some take a lot of time, and some no time at all. But we can divide most of these journeys into two categories. Journeys that are necessary, and journeys of choice.
There is however one journey that we should take; one that is necessary, but still one of choice. It is also one that many people fear or at least are very reluctant to even begin. Others welcome the opportunity to set out on this journey with the absolute intention of completing it. Very few of these journeys come easy because not all of the experiences that are faced are enjoyable ones. These are the things that we would prefer not to face at all as opposed to happy memories or experiences. And so, few journeys are fully completed.
Where does the journey take us?
This journey is the journey inside of yourself, the journey inward. This journey will take you back to the earliest of your memories, and forward to the most current part of your life today.
It is not a journey that you should take alone. It is a journey that only you and the Lord should take because He is the only one that you can absolutely guarantee will not judge you or condemn you and is the only one that can forgive you for the things that you will discover or rediscover about yourself leaving you as pure as can be. After all, if you are a born-again believer, He has already forgiven you of your sins. He, together with the Holy Spirit, has promised never to leave you or forsake you. He, Jesus, took away your sins and fulfilled His promise to send the Holy Spirit to guide and teach you. He explained that He came to this earth that we might have life and it more abundantly, and it is part of the promise that He offers for us to receive in this lifetime.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
This journey will show you that the place where the life that Jesus spoke of truly does exist. Taking you to the place where the Lord God Almighty intended you to live, and in the abundance that He has already provided for each of us
Stepping Out
Imagine yourself to be the man in the illustration above, in a dark corridor. But imagine yourself without the lamp. It’s highly likely that you would trip over something, or bump into something possibly hurting yourself. Then, you come across the lamp and are able to see where you’re going. This is simply the offer that Jesus made to us:
(John 8:12) Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Look at the illustration again and see where the man is holding the lamp. He is holding it out in front of him, he is following the lamp. He still has to take the steps, but now they are guided. And that is the essence of being able to complete every part, every stage of your journey. It is very symbolic that we should follow Jesus, follow the light.
The Corridor
As you proceed further into the corridor you discover that there are doors along the way. Behind each door, there is a room that you are invited to visit, and each one contains a specific thing for you to deal with.
The Rooms
There is not necessarily going to be a sequence or specific order to the rooms that you encounter; but the content of these rooms, these things that come into your mind, or your remembrance, will come to you via the Holy Spirit.
It is very important for you to know that as the “content” of each room is brought to you by the Holy Spirit, you can choose not to deal with it, or do so at another time. However, He will not bring it to your remembrance unless it is something that may hold you back or stop you from receiving all that the Lord has set aside for you. Simply, these are things that are being brought to the surface and He is giving you opportunities to deal with them and, when that process is complete, you will be able to discard them, lock the door behind you if you desire, and move on. The locking of the door states that that situation, that memory, is symbolic and that the content has been put away, or overcome, forever. Why? Because if it is something in your past, or even in your present, that your enemy the devil can use against you, creating guilt or disappointment, he most certainly will! He cannot unlock that door. Only you can do that.
Every door that is closed or locked behind you signifies completion. But you will not lock every door. There will be those rooms that you want to revisit. These are good memories, accomplishments, the happy places. There are those which you will exit, lock and choose never to visit again. These represent the things that you have overcome and had victories over. Things that the devil can no longer use against you. Victories over your accuser!
When we face the contents of the room we have entered, we are given the opportunity to, firstly, acknowledge and admit to that situation. Secondly, we have the opportunity that, through the admission of sin or any wrongdoing, we can show courtesy to the Lord by apologizing to Him for that action. This is verbalizing something that He already knows, but it also gives you the opportunity to be clearly aware of what you have just overcome so that you can endeavour not to repeat the action. It is also another opportunity to thank the Lord for the forgiveness that you have been given or the pleasant things if that is the content of that room. Sometimes this is the best opportunity to get things off of your chest and, in doing so you are furthering and enhancing your personal relationship with Him. He is always going to have your best interests in His heart, but you have to bring your concern(s) to Him; into His presence. He will be fully aware of what is going on in you and to you but, being the gentleman that He is, will not interfere in your life without your permission to do so.
Humbling yourself before Him.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:10)
Being humble towards the Lord accomplishes so many things. Perhaps the most important of these is the acknowledgement of Him as Lord. Being in reverence to Him. Respecting Him in all things. He always responds to us when we ask of Him in a fitting manner, as His child whom He loves and wants, so much, to help and guide.
You know that, without a doubt, Satan will try and use anything he can to get you into a position where you become less effective against him. He is a legalist and a past master at presenting the case to you to instigate feelings of guilt within you. He hates bringing anything into the light where it can be dealt with. He hates it when you take away those opportunities which make you less effective for him. It’s like taking away his ammunition so that he can no longer use it against you.
The key to this journey is that you begin with the knowledge that God, through Jesus’ sacrifice has already forgiven you of all sin. This is something that you can put in front of the devil’s face and say “No! I am forgiven by the blood of the Lamb spilt for me on the Mercy Seat. Leave me Satan, and stay away! I command this in the name of Jesus!”
What is the desired conclusion to this journey?
Eventually, you will come to the point whereby you see the light at the end of the corridor (the light at the end of the tunnel), and you will emerge into that light if you continue. This should be your goal. It is here that, as you totally emerge into the light, will better see and understand just what Jesus has done for you both in the past, and what is set aside for you in the future.
You can regain what you have lost; you are able to discard what you no longer need, and be able to see how much of the burdens have, and can be removed from your life by having Him as your Lord and Saviour and by developing your personal relationship with Him.
He promised us many things. Here are two Scriptures that will show you some of what is promised to every believer:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)
When you take Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He readily accepts responsibility for your life as you surrender to Him. So, the light at the end of the tunnel that you’re walking towards is Jesus himself. He’s going to guide you along the corridor and into His waiting arms.
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Take the journey, do take it. Emerge into the light, the light of Jesus, and know that you are a child of the light!
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The Longest, Deepest, Darkest Journey – Part 2
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The Systematic Discipleship Program
If you choose to enter into our Systematic Discipleship Program, we will be able to greatly expand on this teaching for you. You will discover that your journey will never end, but it does not have to be one of hurt, pain, or despair. God intended it to be everlasting and one of joy. Let us show you how.