Not known as a risk taker by nature, no one was more surprised than me when I willingly (okay, half-heartedly) agreed to participate in a one-mile underground hike through a cavern in central Texas last month. This cavern is estimated to date back 100 million years, with many as yet unexplored areas, even though the main portion was unearthed more than 50 years past.
As we began our downward hike, the mention of shifting fault lines and previous cave floods started my heart palpitating like a trip hammer. The 98% humidity and waning oxygen only intensified my panic once we left the safety of the photo op area with the panoramic view of impressive stalactites and mites.
Fearing a full-blown anxiety attack, I latched onto an outbound tour group that magically appeared the second I started to hyperventilate. Walking back up towards freedom, I could barely contain my relief as I praised our merciful Lord for the “coincidence” that the departing group happened along when it did.
Once safely topside, I found a quiet spot in the empty snack bar and immediately opened the Bible App on my phone. Using the next 45 minutes awaiting my family’s return, I read and prayed, willing my heart rate to return to normal.
The first Scripture my eyes landed on was Psalm 61:
O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Psalm 61:1-4 (NLT)
This Psalm soothed me like a wink from God affirming my belief that He really does know me better than I know myself. Through my spelunking adventure, God helped me to see that throughout my life, I’ve at times been buried under great loads of guilt, shame or regret. Whether I’ve been spiritually overwhelmed or physically burdened by pain, God has always been my rock and safe refuge — the One to whom I always run.
My scant 10 minutes of underground anxiety actually lifted me to a higher awareness of how God can use ANY situation to make His presence known. An innocent afternoon of family adventure left me with many lessons to stow in my backpack of life.
1) I should ALWAYS listen to my gut (or the Holy Spirit) not my prideful mind that tricks me into doing things I know I shouldn’t do, but do anyway (like underground hikes) (Romans 7:15);
2) God sees me, no matter where I am (physically, spiritually or emotionally) and hears my prayers;
3) Scripture is alive and always relevant even if we can’t always comprehend it; and MOST IMPORTANTLY,
4) God did not create us to live in the darkness of sin (or deep in ancient caverns). God wants us to walk in the light of His grace and mercy because … Christ is the Light of the World … and in all the earth, and far above it and deep below it!
If you are laboring in the darkness, buried by past or present sins, reach up to God. He is your sanctuary, your fortress, your towering rock of safety and always your safe refuge! Praise be to God!”
Blessings in Christ,
Kathy K.
It is so interesting how God so often gives us signs in the natural.
Oh, Kathy, how I enjoy your writing! I could feel the cave’s enclosed dampness and the anxiety you experienced. No thanks! Just like you, I’m not too adventurous and just the thought of going into a dark cave gives me the hibbie jibbies! I have to tell you that I was so surprised your ordeal only lasted 10 minutes! Oh, the things we do for our families!