Several years ago now two amateur spelunkers had a life-changing experience while exploring one of our area caves. After they had gone some 3,000 feet into the cave, the batteries in both men’s flashlights went out, and the dismayed cavers found themselves stranded in complete darkness with absolutely no chance of finding their way out of the cave. They had no choice but to sit tight and hope rescuers would be sent in for them.
They waited nearly two days.
Upon their rescue, the two men vowed never to go caving again.
What a nightmare! What a dilemma!
One of the rescuers stated to the newspaper, “When you run out of light in a cave, you can't go anywhere.”
Can you imagine being absolutely helpless without light? Caught in a situation where blind efforts will only make matters worse? You’d be wise enough to know you needed help, wouldn’t you? Surely, if you survived, the value of light would mean more to you than it ever had before.
We all should remember what it’s like to be in the same dilemma as the two cavers spiritually. Without Jesus, we’re all stuck in the dark.
Isaiah prophesied, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2).
John wrote, “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world” (John 1:9).
The entire world has no chance of going in the right direction without God’s light. Our country will not stand permanently without it. The salvation of the home and family in our culture depends upon it. Not one person can find abundant life on his own. Until we embrace God, our blind efforts only make matters worse. Apart from his help, we are all as good as dead in the dark.
The early church celebrated the shining of Christ’s light
into the heart of a new believer with this baptismal hymn, “Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians
The only hope for every man, and all cultures, is to wake up and receive Christ’s light. Christ is the Rescuer who will light your way through this life and into a marvelous eternity.
Christ is the light and the way.