There are times in the lives of all of us when things seem to go exceptionally well. Plans work out, dreams take substance and shape, and projects fall into place. On such occasions, quite naturally, we rejoice, for it is clear to us that life is full and that there are not only satisfactions but also accomplishments which enable us to feel worthwhile.

By the same token, there are times in the lives of all of us when everything seems to go wrong. We start off on some task with the goal clearly in sight, only to encounter obstacles which are insurmountable. We are moving along life's way when our lives are crossed by the shadow of disaster, either personally or in the experience of those we love. Sometimes these rough places occur because of negligence or evil-doing on our part; at other times they occur because of circumstances over which we have little if any control. In any event, all of us know these times quite well as the sun goes behind the cloud and we walk through the shadow of despair. Indeed, it is likely that for most of us these times become the most crucial of all times, and it is certain that they happen to all of us at one time or other.

It seems to matter very little that all of us are fully aware of the inevitability of fluctuation between light and darkness, between laughter and tears. We write it into the marriage ceremony when we talk of "sickness and health, joy and sorrow, plenty and want." And yet knowing it does not seem to make the experiencing of it any easier. This was certainly true for John the Baptizer. He knew and stated clearly as he contemplated his relationship to Jesus, "He must increase, and I must decrease." And yet, now in the prison, the perspective was becoming distorted, and his faith began to falter. "Are you really the one who should come, or shall we look for another?"