Continuing from where I left off in my previous post "The Abyss… A Place Where Light is Scarce". Today I take a step back and attempt to describe my descent into the Abyss. So what drives a man (or woman) to willingly go into an unpleasant place; a place full of loneliness, and darkness. Think of it as a place where one's voice can not be heard, where you may find yourself disconnected from the rest of the world. A place where you cry out for help but none is there to lend a desperately needed hand. I speak of a place where you know what you are trying to say but can’t seem to bring others to understand your thoughts because your surroundings lack the medium to get your words across.
Initially, as I got ready to descend, I take a deep breath and think about the adventure I am about to embark on! As I dove into the deep, I was memorized by the beauty that surrounded me. "The light from above still lights my path", I remember thinking as I took time to take in the initial experience. A sense of adventure and happiness came over me; I rejoiced with my fellow divers about the experience before one of them prompts us to continue to descend. At first thought, I said to myself, "No! Not yet!" I was not ready. I wanted to stay where we were. As the first diver continued to descend, I noticed that his image was fading into the dimmed seas. This diver seemed to descend very quickly. I tried to stop him but he could not understand me.
As the time continued, I was no longer in awe of any of the things I had just been so happy and exited about. I became curious; I noticed some of the divers were within meters from me. I gave into my curiosity and eagerness for adventure... I gave into the thought of chasing that initial experience. So I descended to join the rest of my group. The descent was slow; I was once again taking in everything I was able to see. While initially skeptical, I soon noticed that the light traveled down just fine. However, at this depth, I was unable to appreciate anything from a distance. I had to disregard my safety in order to get the same level of excitement. Nevertheless, I regained a "sense" of excitement and happiness once more in the companionship of the more "adventurous" divers.
After some time, I started to notice that it was harder to breath at the depths that I found myself in. I felt as if I was not getting enough oxygen into my lungs; I became aware of the pressure that the depths were putting on my body. I started to panic and attempted to ascend. But a fellow diver grabbed on to my leg and signed to hold on. As I turned to him, he started to coach me. I could not understand what he was saying to me but I was able to imitate him. Moments later, the panic attack left me and I started to feel a sense of peace. Turning back, and looking up, I noticed that it was OK. "I am not too far from the top", I thought to myself. Needless to say, I felt in control.
The descent continued and everything continued to be a surreal experience. However, the lack of light did not allow us to get as much excitement as we had when we first started to descend. At this point, I note that some divers start to ascend; some stay at the same depth, others go to the initial depth and a few other just go back to the top not wanting to continue on. As time goes on, I see a diver falling back into the depths of the abyss. As I tried to hold on to him I come to know that he had an unfortunate end. His air tank was empty; he was unable to make it to the top. Another seems to have the same fate, but there is air in his tank; he seems to have tried to reach the top too fast. Unable to allow his body to gradually decompress from the pressures of the seas, he becomes paralyzed unable to help himself ascend to the top. Unconsciousness came next... unbeknownst to him, his body fell into the depths of the dark sea.
Immediately I asked myself, "My God! How much air do I have left! How far into the depths of the sea have I descended to?" I once again become conscious of my surroundings. At this point, I had descended so much that I was unable to breath in much needed air. Suddenly, I became aware of the unbearable pressures of the depths of the sea. As I start to become fearful and decide to start to turn back and ascend. Then the diver who had once before helped me stood in my way attempting to discourage me from ascending to the light again. "What is this? Do you not see?", I forcefully tried to exclaimed. Soon it was more obvious to me that he wasn't truly my friend!
This has been what I have experienced while descending into the Abyss and while in the counsel of the ungodly. My dear friend, How about you ? Do you find yourself in the counsel of those who do not strive to walk in light? Those who seek to bring you to deeper depths. Is it time for you to check the depths in which you find yourself? Is it not time for you to stop listening to those who seek to discourage you from ascending that you may see light?
A time will come when the fear, pressure and/or lack of oxygen will bring you to an imminent fall into the darkness of the abyss. I end with this: What does your air gauge reading tells you?
Biblical references:
Psalm 1:1 - How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
Isaiah 5:20 - Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
Jeremiah 13:16 - Give glory to the LORD your God, Before He brings darkness And before your feet stumble On the dusky mountains, And while you are hoping for light He makes it into deep darkness, And turns it into gloom.
Isaiah 8:22 - Then they will look to the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be driven away into darkness.
John 1:5 - The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
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