Today I took my family to Mammoth Cave National Park. If you have not been, I highly recommend the experience. It is the longest discovered cave system in the world. 392 miles have been discovered that go down about 350+ feet below the surface. The amazing thing is that it is all contained in about 7 square miles, but has about 6 different levels. Oh yeah, and did I mention that the air temperature is a constant 54 degrees year round.
Now that I have Wowed you with my intellect, let me tell you what I kept thinking the whole time I was down there: "What if I got lost in this thing?" Yes, I know I was with 2 National Park Rangers, who I might add kept telling us to not get off the trail. This was a unique tour (They have 15+ different tours that you can take). It was called the "Violet Lantern Tour." Normally the tours are all lit up with Halogen lights strategically placed so it illuminates the walls and ceiling. However, we went old school with oil lamps.
The Rangers would stop over the 3 hour /3 mile endeavour to share with us about ancient inhabitants of the caves. They have found artifacts ranging from mummified remains, to reed torches. BLACK does not begin to explain how dark it was in there. Now I must say, at no point was I petrified. Why? Quite Simply because there were 11 other oil lanterns besides mine, and I had a flashlight in my pocket as a back-up. Having the two experienced Rangers didn't hurt matters one bit.
After we got out of the cave, they shared with the group about a man that had fallen behind on one of the tours several years ago and had to spend the night in the cave. Once again the question flooded back in my mind, like a stream overflowings its banks. "What if I got lost in this thing?" Even if I had a lantern and a back-up flashlight, I didn't know the way. I could easily take the wrong path that would lead to my demise.
When I came back from my adventure today, I sat down and read this scripture:
"...for He has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5
Nothing else seemed to matter at that moment. At times I feel like I am wandering alone on the dark damp passages of life. However, I am reminded of this passage every time. I know that my God will never leave me, and that I have nothing to fear.
Self Evaluation time! Are you fearfully wandering through a cave in your life without an ounce of light to guide your path? Are you depressed and discouraged because the "Sonshine" is not shining in your life? Or better yet, are you running down a dark unlit path with no care in the world, and you are blind to the ravine on either side. Whatever the situation might be, please know that Jesus Christ is right there waiting to shine light in your life. He will not allow you to walk blindly, if you surrender your life over to His all consuming Light!
Now that I have Wowed you with my intellect, let me tell you what I kept thinking the whole time I was down there: "What if I got lost in this thing?" Yes, I know I was with 2 National Park Rangers, who I might add kept telling us to not get off the trail. This was a unique tour (They have 15+ different tours that you can take). It was called the "Violet Lantern Tour." Normally the tours are all lit up with Halogen lights strategically placed so it illuminates the walls and ceiling. However, we went old school with oil lamps.
The Rangers would stop over the 3 hour /3 mile endeavour to share with us about ancient inhabitants of the caves. They have found artifacts ranging from mummified remains, to reed torches. BLACK does not begin to explain how dark it was in there. Now I must say, at no point was I petrified. Why? Quite Simply because there were 11 other oil lanterns besides mine, and I had a flashlight in my pocket as a back-up. Having the two experienced Rangers didn't hurt matters one bit.
After we got out of the cave, they shared with the group about a man that had fallen behind on one of the tours several years ago and had to spend the night in the cave. Once again the question flooded back in my mind, like a stream overflowings its banks. "What if I got lost in this thing?" Even if I had a lantern and a back-up flashlight, I didn't know the way. I could easily take the wrong path that would lead to my demise.
When I came back from my adventure today, I sat down and read this scripture:
"...for He has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5
Nothing else seemed to matter at that moment. At times I feel like I am wandering alone on the dark damp passages of life. However, I am reminded of this passage every time. I know that my God will never leave me, and that I have nothing to fear.
Self Evaluation time! Are you fearfully wandering through a cave in your life without an ounce of light to guide your path? Are you depressed and discouraged because the "Sonshine" is not shining in your life? Or better yet, are you running down a dark unlit path with no care in the world, and you are blind to the ravine on either side. Whatever the situation might be, please know that Jesus Christ is right there waiting to shine light in your life. He will not allow you to walk blindly, if you surrender your life over to His all consuming Light!
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