Dark, Damp, Dreamy Caves

Every year, hundreds of people pick up flashlights and backpacks, and squeeze themselves through tiny openings in the ground in order to explore the underground world of caves. These people are called spelunkers and cavers. Some of them travel all over the world to find caves that are challenging and unexplored. Every cave that they explore is unique and different.

But, even though each cave is unique, they have some things in common—they are dark, intriguing, and often dangerous. The challenge of spelunking (cave exploring) is to find a safe way to see the beauties of the cave without getting injured, lost, or killed. In order to do that, cavers must take with them some very important equipment. Light (such as a flashlight or lantern) is essential to any cave exploration. Without a source of light, caves would be far too dangerous to explore.

Also, spelunkers must make sure that they know the way out of a cave. Many caves have hundreds of different passageways and tunnels. If a caver is not careful, he will find himself deep in the heart of the Earth with no way out. For this reason, many spelunkers tie a long rope at the entrance of the cave and unwind the rope as they explore. When they are ready to leave the cave, they simply follow the rope back to the entrance.

Our lives are very much like a spelunking expedition. Often we are surrounded by darkness and danger in this world. However, that darkness and danger can be overcome if we have the right equipment. In John 8:12, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." If we follow Jesus and do good deeds like He did, He will be the light that we need to see through the darkness of sin in this world.

Not only will Jesus be the light, but He also said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Following Jesus means that we won't get lost in the caverns of life with no way out. We always will be able to find our way back to God.

As we "spelunk" through this world, remember that Christ provides all the equipment we need to return home safely.