Volume 31

All around the globe, dedicated enthusiasts risk everything, either for the adrenaline rush or the sheer joy of experiencing the very last unexplored regions of the earth. Sure, lots of people take a peek into the comfortable, commercialised caves that are open to the public. They walk through on safe, easy-to-navigate boardwalks that give a glimpse into the deep. But real cavers want more. They seek a level that’s much more real in terms of what caves actually have to offer.

To reach those rewards, they must travel in groups for safety and lower themselves into a dark world of steep climbs, tight squeezes and rocky ledges passable only when their backs are to the wall. Through it all, cavers have two rules: plan your moves, and pace yourself.

Along with a map and a compass, the intrepid explorers use specialized gear including three sources of light — the main one is on their helmets, to keep their hands free — and nylon outerwear that offers protection against the cold, mud and jagged rocks. Those body suits have no pockets, so there’s nothing to get snagged.

Even so, every caver gets into a tight spot from time to time and they know the drill: take off the pack; think small; commit yourself one bit at a time — with one arm in front and one behind — move slowly; and “garden” the path by moving smaller rocks aside.

When cavers lose their way, rule number one is sit down and calm down. The next step is to build a marker and retrace their steps until they find something familiar. When looking for the way out, cavers make little forays, but always ensure they can find their way back tothe marker. If all else fails, they stay in one spot and wait for help.

And so it is with Christians. We need to take our faith well below the surface, past the safe and superficial to embrace a radical, alternative underground Christianity. That’s what Jesus did, challenging the comfortable, commercialised religion of the day and calling his followers to shine their Light in a dark world.

We, too, have three sources of Light — Father, Son and Holy Spirit— who project from the inside, leaving our hands free to help others. “I pray your hearts will be flooded with light,” says Paul, “to understand the incredible greatness of his power for those who believe him.” (Eph.1:18.) He also tells us to put on “the body armour of God’s righteousness.” (Eph. 6:14.) Assurance we’ve been made right with God through the sacrifice of Jesus should give us comfort and confidence and help us avoid injury from the cold and cutting nature of the world around us. That no-pockets righteousness will also help us avoid the materialism that so many people get hung up on.

With our map — the Bible — and our compass — the Spirit — we can plan our moves and pace ourselves. And when we’re caught between the Rock and a hard place, we can think like cavers. First, take off the pack. Adversity shows us what’s really important and helps us set the right priorities, putting our pride and possessions in perspective. We must think small, adopting the attitude of John the Baptist who said of Jesus, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” (John 3:30)

At the same time, we must think big when it comes to God and his ability to get us through. Then we must commit ourselves, a bit at a time, moving forward even if progress seems impossibly hard and slow. The key is moving forward, not moving fast. That’s why it’s also vital to garden the path by moving aside the smaller, more manageable obstacles so we have more room to move.

Feeling disoriented? “Trust God and He’ll help you... Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act.” (Ps. 37:5,7) He’s our spiritual marker and we can use him as our reference point to find our way. But when all else fails, we must stay in one spot and wait for help because, more often than not, God sends his people to lead us back to the Light. And the journey’s worth it. Deep caves don’t make for shallow Christians.

By Rick Gamble. Published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the followers of Christ congregation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications. To subscribe to this free weekly article, send a note to Rick at sgamble@bfree.on.ca