theologian meant. When we find ourselves entering a crisis of faith, hovering on the edge of hope, we have received an invitation to go deeper. John encourages us not to walk away from but to go through whatever it is we face, because in the final analysis it will lead us to freedom in love. This purified love will be greater and stronger than anything we have encountered. John describes this as a time God gently and lovingly awakens in our heart as we enter an unknown land and travel unknown roads.