THE SINKHOLE
By Jan Eckles
I gasped when I read the headline, “Blind Man Falls into Sinkhole”
(New York Daily News, June 10, 2005). When I learned he suffered no injuries except minor scratches, I smiled. I continued
reading about his mishap with a tinge of amusement and a few chuckles.
Now before you think I am insensitive, let me explain. I too lost my sight.
And in the last twenty years as a sightless person, I have had my share of accidents. I have tripped on countless curbs, missed
steps and fallen, and tumbled with a splash into a fountain in a busy shopping center. I have even entered the wrong
car.
As I read (with the aid of a voice synthesizer) about this poor man’s
fall, I naturally identified with him. His story reminded me of my own sinkhole—the
devastation I initially faced when I lost my sight.
My sinkhole was deep, …and darkness and loneliness surrounded me. While
the rest of the world continued walking on with their lives, I reached up for someone to help. No one could. No one seemed
to notice my distress.
The more I tried to claw my way out of that sinkhole, the more I fell back
into feelings of hopelessness. Fatigued from my futile attempts, I sighed
with defeat. I let myself sink into the murky swamp of self-pity, and it quickly seeped through to my soul. Lying at the bottom,
I shivered in the coldness of my misfortune.
After a while, I sat up— and with my last attempt—cried again for help. But this time, I called out to a specific
Someone. I did not utter a fancy prayer. I simply cried, “Jesus! Please, reach down to me.”
Then I waited.
I stopped my sobs that echoed through the hallow sinkhole of misery. I listened
in silence. The Lord’s words, like sunrays, warmed my heart…
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my
yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV).
I trusted this promise and held up my hand. Jesus gently pulled me out. He
brushed off my bitterness, removed my spots of fear, and washed my stains of sin.
He heard my cry, my desperation, …my simple prayer. Even when I did not know exactly what I needed, He filled my life with the light of His Word. He lifted me
from the sinkhole and set my feet upon stable ground. He clothed me with the garment of joy. He even sprayed me with a fragrance
of confidence. I now have a Guide Who walks with me, and I am reassured He will never leave me.
If you ever experience one of life’s sinkholes, keep in mind that your
own efforts, abilities or skills cannot lift you out. Acknowledge your weakness. In a simple prayer, reach out to the One
Who is able to pull you out of the darkness into the light of His love. And He will restore your soul.
I can assure you, "I waited patiently
for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and
set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings" (Psalm 40:1-2, KJV).
