Dark Caves, Addicts, and Rescuers

Throughout life, many of us have experienced the trap of a "dark cave" experience. A failed marriage, a broken heart, a death, job disappointment, lost friendships, empty nests, addictions to pills, alcohol, pornography, the list goes on. We feel like we are 2 miles deep in an abandoned limestone cavern occupied only by bats and other unknown creatures with the water steadily rising. Were it just for us, we would be overcome by these rising waters with a monsoon and impossibile obstacles looming.

However, in our darkest cave experience is when our Compassionate Advocate, our Expert "rescue diver", Elon Musk's "escape pod" come bursting through the waves armed with an oxygen tank, a mask, and the promise of freedom. All we have to do is put on the oxygen tank, mask, and hold on to the diver. Many of us dont know how to "swim" on our own, but this also requires trust.

In the book of Mark, the addicts and the broken were endless and Jesus healed each one. The one thing they all had in common? Someone brought them to Jesus. We cannot get out of the cave on our own. Oh no. We need a rescuer. Jesus uses seemingly ordinary people as "expert divers", swim coaches, construction workers, and first responders to bring the broken to Him. This sometimes takes meticulous work, patience, tenacity, and bravery. The whole world is not always watching. Breaking news alerts may not be issued world wide on every rescue, but I can promise that the "true rescues" from caves across the world are seen by our Compassionate Advocate, Jesus.

One father brought his son to Jesus who was demon possessed from childbirth. He spoke to Jesus "But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us". Then Jesus said to him, "if you can? Everything is possible to the one who believes". Immediately the father of the boy cried out "I do believe! Help my unbelief!". (Mark 9:22-24) The boy was then healed. His father, the rescue diver brought his son out of the cave to the world's leading Physician. We dont always believe that our great Surgeon has our best in mind. We dont always trust His plans. They seem to complicated. We sometimes refuse to leave the cave, the familiar, the damp, dark world we have come to know. However, we are called to leave our caves of comfort, hold the hand of our rescuer, and even though we cannot swim or see in the murky waters, believe.

We are too critical of others. We are too busy bad-mouthing others and the reasons they entered their cave experience. We are not to judge others. We are to drill through mountains, plunge through murky waters, and brace monsoons to rescue the broken, the addict, the trapped. We are called to live our best life. We only get one. Instead of sinking into the water, let's allow ourselves to be rescued. You who live with cave dwellers, bring them to Jesus. After the demon possessed boy was healed, the disciples asked Jesus why they didn't have the power to heal him. Jesus replied "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting". (Mark 9:29) Don't be discouraged if your rescue attempts fail, employ this strategy of prayer and fasting for your loved one. Again, the process may be slow, but our God is faithful. However, he requires belief and action.

American Authors "Deep Waters"

It comes and goes in waves
It always runs back but it's never quite the same
Well, I think there's something wrong with me
Got nothing to believe, can't you see it on my face
I was going for the title, got hit by your tidal wave, uh

Can't stay in the shallows, please tell me I won't wash away
When it pulls me under, will you make me stronger
Will you be my breath through the deep, deep water
Take me farther, give me one day longer
Will you be my breath through the deep, deep water

Ain't even scratched the surface
Thinking I deserve the dream but I don't deserve the hurting
I want the flame without the burning
But I can't find my purpose when I don't know what my worth is
I was going for the title, got hit by your tidal wave, uh
Can't stay in the shallows, please tell me I won't wash away
When it pulls me under, will you make me stronger
Will you be my breath through the deep, deep water
Take me farther, give me one day longer
Will you be my breath through the deep, deep water

When I'm sinking like a stone
At least I know I'm not alone
When I'm sinking like a stone
At least I know I'm not alone

When it pulls me under, will you make me stronger
Will you be my breath through the deep, deep water
Take me farther, give me one day longer
Will you be my breath through the deep, deep water
When I'm sinking like a stone (deep water)
At least I know I'm not alone
It comes and goes in waves
It always runs back but it's never quite the same