Never did I watch a news item with more intensity than I did the captivity and eventual rescue of the Chilean miners. I have had problems with claustrophobia through the years, and not too long ago was traumatized by an experience overseas. I really should not have been watching. But I did anyway, and my mind connected the dots between their experience and my own. Of course I could in no way comprehend how these men, trapped in a pit for weeks, could keep their sanity. But somehow I was in that pit with them, overcome by fear. I also shared their feelings, when that incredibly joyous time when they were, one by one, lifted out of their prison into the waiting arms of wives, children, and friends. What euphoria! What adrenalin flow! I was beside myself.
I remember a scene nearly 40 years ago, watching a Billy Graham film, when the message of the cross, what Jesus did for me, finally struck fire. I got it. The tears began to flow, from some reservoir deep within. Sorrow upon sorrow. I was the sinner. I deserved to die. Jesus died in my place. It was the simple Gospel, the kind that puts you in a pit and kills you before you understand the fullness of resurrection. Ah, but resurrection comes, and mine came that same night. After the crying subsided, an unknown substance began to rise from those same channels. Laughter. Joy unspeakable. I "got" the rest of the story. Not only what He did back then but what He wanted to do now. I was forgiven! What's not to be happy about? For hours streams of joy came over me, culminating in a baptismal service that very night in the muddy Scioto River.
For the Chilean miners, it was a small company in Canada that provided the way of escape from the Pit. For me, it was Jesus. For you, too.
The story of the captives from Chile did not end there on that rapturous day. I somehow wish it had. I wanted to remember forever how awful the pit had been and then rejoice in the freeing from that hell. But life went on, as it must always. We began to hear of the private lives of these men. Of affairs they were having. Of one wife who did not even bother to show up for the rescue because her partner had been unfaithful. His "new" partner was there in her place. How disappointing. Aren't rescued men made of better stuff than this?
No, they're not. And that's the point. They were rescued because they were unable to rescue themselves. Weak, ordinary men.
These miners, as all men, need to realize that without Christ-and all gave lip-service to the Catholic-style Christ, who makes no demands on their personal lives- all are still in a pit, needing the rescue of all rescues.
When I think of my own life since rescue day, I imagine how disappointing the "rest of the story" must be for Jesus some days, as He sees His own heading back to the edges of the Pit, toying with jumping back in.
There is no hope for such but constant gazes at Calvary. He will not be dying again. He will come again, but no more sacrifice will be offered. If conversion seems so far removed, so long ago as to be irrelevant today, a dose of God's ever-now Spirit is in order. Be warned, be aware! There'll be no excuses on that day! Talk to your Rescuer today.
I imagine that as long as there is a church that honors sacrifice, the story of the Baptist pastor John Harper will be told. John “the Baptist” is not as well known among us as the Biblical character of that name, of course. He is in...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Maybe I'm not in the loop, but I had never heard this story until last week, at a Holy Spirit Conference in Wisconsin. Speaker, Dr. Clay Ford. I'm assuming it's made the rounds, it's so great... Never asked if it's true, by the way. It's a...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
So what will this blog be about? What per cent a Christian should give at a restaurant? Attitudes toward giving an offering at church? No, I have some other tipping in mind... I don't know how many times you've been through the Bible, but if...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Place value only works in mathematics. Even those of you who struggled in this subject probably recognize the concept. The value of a digit is based on the place it occupies in a series of digits. The digit "2" in the number 257 has more value...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
No, brother Bob has not suddenly swerved into Romanism. You can read my articles about such things here on Sermonaudio if you need proof. No, I'm talking about that "other" cardinal, the avian variety. He sits outside my window year 'round....[ abbreviated | read entire ]
The Face of God. Why, that must be an exciting place to visit! Peni-el! Jacob went there. Once. Most people do not request a second go 'round. Peni-el is a place of struggle. Paul would call it "fightings within, fears without." Pharaoh behind...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Ever met a man of God? Are you sure? What do you think a man of God might look like? I think He would be simple, unassuming. He'd be holy, separated, but not wierd. He would love the Word of God, every page, every line. Very quiet. Very powerful....[ abbreviated | read entire ]
After all the complaining I do on this site about subjectivism, theories, speculation, perception, you may think it odd that I share with you a dream I had recently. Nevertheless, here it is. I hope you will see immediately that my interpretation...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Christmas, 2007.Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I wonder how many know he actually wrote a song that's in your hymnbook. I'm not sure if the lyrics are meant to be taken from his own personal experience, but it's easy to imagine many believers...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
