At the end of June 2018, a soccer coach and his 12 players in Thailand went into the Tham Luang Nang Non cave for an hour-long excursion after practice. They took a rope, a flashlight, and some batteries. The young men ranged in age from 11–16, and their coach was just 25 years old. Their adventure was meant to be of short duration so they did not prepare for a long trip. But as it turned out, it became an 18-day nightmare when the entrance to the cave unexpectedly flooded due to monsoon rains and they were trapped with no food or warm clothing. The oxygen in the cave began to run low and eventually the light from the flashlight went out. They kept themselves alive only by drinking fresh water that dripped from stalactites in the cave.
Ultimately, over the course of three days—July 8, 9, and 10—all of the boys and their coach were rescued. During their rescue each boy was led out of the cave by two experienced divers: one leading the way and the other following behind. They emerged from the cave hungry and cold, but safe and longing to see the light.
This brought to mind the scripture found in John 8:12, where Jesus said, “ ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’ ”
We live in a world of darkness and sin—a darkness so deep that sometimes it is impossible to believe that we will ever see the light again.
“A large number of precious souls are groping in darkness, yet longing and weeping and praying for light.” Counsels to Writers and Editors, 65
“Light means revelation, and the light is to shine amid moral darkness. … Apart from Christ there is no light at all. There need not be a cloud between the soul and Jesus. … His great heart of love is longing to flood the soul with the bright beams of His righteousness.” Lift Him Up, 221
Dear Father, as Your people, You have given us great light and the opportunity to take truth and life to a world in darkness. Help us to be faithful to that charge.