But as it is written: what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived what God has prepared for those who love him – these things God has revealed to us through the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10

There is a place in which many of us have been.
It’s not a good place.
It’s the bottom.
Some call it rock bottom.
The place where it is darkest, scariest, and where time seems to crawl by.
If you have ever lost a loved one, been in the middle of treatment or illness, or struggled with anxiety and depression, you know what I’m talking about.
Maybe you’re there now.
I know, I KNOW, that hearing “it gets better” does not help.
At all.
Because sometimes that “better” we hear about doesn’t come the next day.
Sometimes “better” takes a long damn time.
But.
Yes, but.
In the midst of the worst,
When you are firmly planted in the bottom, lowest place,
One things holds true:
You are not alone.
Oh I know. It doesn’t feel that way.
But it’s true.

If you grew up with a faith background, you may remember one line in the Apostle’s Creed where we hear after Jesus was buried, “he descended into hell.”
You may have wondered what exactly that means.
And there are a lot of opinions given by scholars for this one.
Sometimes, I like the one that says Jesus was down there doing battle with the devil.
It’s a picture of a kick butt Jesus that I need some days.
But the one I like the most, the one that I think makes the most sense, is that Jesus went to the darkest place, the worst place, so that there was nowhere you could be that God has not already been, and even more, there is no place you could be that God cannot get to.
This.
This is teeny tiny shining light in the darkest place.
It’s hope.
Hope that if God can get there, then you’re not alone.
And if there is one thing we know about God, it’s that God is always repairing, renewing, redeeming.

JK Rowling once said that “rock bottom became a solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”
God is that foundation.
Because God is at the rock bottom with you.
For however long you’re there.
God is right next to you.
And while you’re struggling, God is building a way out.
A way up.
Out of the pit.
Into the light.
Where things can be, yes, better.

These verses from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians are ones I go to in those darkest times.
When I want to have hope but just can’t summon the littlest bit.
When it feels like there is no stepping forward for me.
And I let the words of Paul wash over me – he says, but as it is written – no one knows, no one has seen or heard or even fully understands what God has in store.

Fun fact, Paul is quoting Isaiah here, (64:4) and reminding us that it is in our history to hope when things look bleak.  That even at their worst times, the Israelites held on to the promise that things will get better. Even though they couldn’t really fathom it.
And then Paul says these things have been revealed by God through the Holy Spirit.
BOOM.
You guys.
Paul says that we don’t have to imagine anymore.
God is with us, right now.
Through the Holy Spirit, making God’s presence known.
And no matter where we find ourselves, how dark the place we are in is,
No matter how deep the pit surrounding us,
God is there.
Revealing the good things.
Bringing light and hope.
So if you’re in that dark place and can’t get out today,
That’s ok.
Know that you’re not alone in it.
And if you are lifting your head for the first time in awhile, look for God,
God is there.
Ready to help you get back on your feet and out of the pit.