Month: January 2025

When I was a kid, the news was full of stories about a program called SEALAB. I was really enthralled with these experimental underwater habitats and even wrote stories about my own fictional city under the sea. I’m sure my stories violated every known scientific principle involving the ocean and its mysterious depths, but they were fun. It was some time after SEALAB that I first learned about the lost city of Atlantis and the idea that there was an actual city under the sea. Of course, I was quickly searching the library for any information on Atlantis.

I’m an adult, now. Well, sometimes an adult! Anyway, I’m still interested in Atlantis although I’m skeptical about its actual existence. In my online researching, I was surprised to discover that there are a number of actual sunken cities around the world. One of these sites is Dwarka, in northwest India.

The modern city of Dwarka is a pilgrimage site where, for centuries, people have come regularly to worship Hindu gods in the many temples built throughout the city. But in the 1960s, right around the time of SEALAB, archaeologists found artifacts that convinced them that there was some kind of structure offshore. Ongoing work led to the discovery of various structures including crumbling walls, lengthy stone staircases, and other ruins. After doing all their archaeological magic, the experts determined that this was likely the ruins of ‘ancient Dwarka,’ a place mentioned in the ancient texts of India.

I might not have paid too much attention to underwater Dwarka if it hadn’t been for a recent news story. Last year, Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, dove down to the ancient ruins to pray. For him it was an intense spiritual moment. It got me thinking about the importance of getting away from our everyday lives to concentrate on God and our spiritual health. I’m not inclined to dive down to sunken ruins, though. I prefer sitting on the beach looking out at the vastness of the ocean with a couple of devotional books by my side. And an ice cold Pepsi in my hand.

from the pen of Jeff Joyner

It was New Year’s Eve, and some friends asked if I wanted to go to a party with them. I was a college student finishing up my last couple of courses, with plans to graduate the following June. I had nothing going on that night, so I decided to go. Once we got there, I knew the storyline for me was going to be the same. Get intoxicated and sleep it off the next day. Yet there was something different about that night.

As I stood on the threshhold of a new year, it appeared my future looked very bright. Not only would I be a college graduate, but there was also a high probability I would land my dream job in the airline industry. In spite of all this, l still felt a sense of turmoil and dread regarding the future. I knew it had much to do with a decision I had made seven years earlier to walk away from God, and live life on my own terms. As time went by, instead of finding freedom and fulfillment, I found only pain and anxiety.

As midnight approached, I quietly broke away from the crowd and walked into the restroom. I stood there for several moments staring at my reflection in the mirror. It was as if my face was totally unrecognizable. Finally, in my despair I yelled out loud, “Who are you?” As I stared in silence, I knew I had to make some changes in my life. Though I was never one for New Year’s resolutions, it was then that I made a decision to turn around and begin my journey back to the Lord.

I experienced a lot of change the following year. I rededicated my life to Christ and committed to follow Him for the rest of my life. I also graduated from college and landed my dream job in the airline industry. Toward the end of that year, God called me into full time music ministry, of which I am still a part of today. But it all goes back to that New Year’s Eve. For it was there that God brought me to the end of myself, restoring both my life and my hope for the future. And for that I am eternally grateful.

“In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help.” Psalm‬ ‭18‬:‭6‬