Sermon On The Twilight Zone

It was once remarked by “person or persons unknown”: “Never regret a day in your life: Good days give happiness, bad days give experience, worst days give lessons, and best days give memories.” Philippians 3:13-15 suggests: “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.”

The Twilight Zone was an American television series based on an anthology of life that was televised between 1959 and 1964. In one particular episode entitled: “Spur of the Moment,” themes of regret and the danger of yielding to passion are saliently featured. Regret has been defined as a feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over an occurrence or something that one has done or failed to do. Regrets may feature prominently during a lifetime in different forms and for varying reasons. It should be remembered that it is virtually impossible to journey through an individual existence without encountering at least one phenomenon. Human life is considered short in the overall structure of a global environment. We are encouraged to make the most of it in anything that we may attempt. Fear of making a wrong decision or undertaking a possible misdirection can instill a significant element of caution which may prevent a particular goal from being accomplished. This may subsequently provoke a feeling of regret for the failure to succeed.

Also known as the midwater or mesopelagic, the real “Twilight Zone” has been described in maritime terminology, also purporting an element of the undefinable or mysterious, to be a layer of water that stretches around the globe. Its depth below the surface is considered to be between 200 and 1000 meters and is regarded as just beyond the jurisdiction of sunlight. Although it is considered cold with little light, aquatic life ranges with passion from microscopic to the largest on the planet. The inhabitants of the zone are said to help the ocean’s food web and transport huge amounts of carbon from surface waters into the deep ocean, helping to regulate global climate conditions.

For many, the real concept and connotations of any twilight zone, whether it be fictitious or not, remain largely hidden and beyond understanding. Mystery prevails. Scientific facts are strictly limited as more research needs to be undertaken to glean increased knowledge. At present, we have to largely depend on what is believed, rather than what we know for sure.

Some may view God as a comparison to the twilight zone. His dominion can instill fear of the unknown. God is surrounded by mystery, He is invisible. Although He is considered omnibenevolent, other than what is in the Bible, little is known as to His actual conceptualization. Faith and trust in His presence, power and ability remain of primary importance to those who are willing to accept Him. Fear of uncertainty may prevail. A verdict to accept or reject God can be the most important decision we are faced with in life. If we make the wrong decision and proceed along the pathway of rejection, this may become the biggest regret of our life. However, if we adopt the prudent decision to accept Him, then we can open our life to the immense benefits of salvation and redemption.

Some may not feel the need for God. They may consider that they live a reasonably good life and can justify entrance to eternity when the appropriate time eventually arrives. However, God provides salvation through His Son. A few may be unaware of the importance of John 14:6 which reminds us: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Many might consider fear as a positive emotion that aids self-survival. It can provide alternative responses which captivate a degree of safety. However, if we allow it to overcome and possess our bodies it can withhold positive progression, it weakens stamina and determination. Even more so, uncertainty may prevail as a result and it may ultimately lead to bodily health problems.

Isaiah 43 contains a vivid oracle of salvation with an emphasis on fearlessness. Reassurance is necessary to sustain confidence and scope in any future Godly actions that we may undertake. Verses 15-21 remind us: “I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.