Recently my husband and I watched the movie “Thirteen Lives” about the rescue of twelve members of a Thai boys’ soccer team and their young coach in 2018. It followed the story from the time the boys were lost deep in a cave until they were found alive after 9 days, and later rescued.
I’m sure they wanted to get out of that cave the minute they were found, but they had to wait another 6 days for the first group to be taken out and 8 days before they were all out safely. While they waited, they received water and high calorie nutritional supplements to build their energy for the long journey to safety. They were provided with some lighting as they waited. And encouragement from their rescuers and others on the outside.
I’m sure they wondered why it was taking so long to get them out of the dark stillness of that cave. They didn’t know how much was happening on the outside to make sure their rescue would be a successful one.
And when it was finally their turn to start the trip out they were fitted with special diving gear and were sedated to keep them from struggling against their rescuer if they should panic any time along the way. It took several hours for each boy to make the harrowing journey to the mouth of the cave, with one or two professional cave divers holding on to them every inch of the way. Even with all of the preparations made for their successful exit, the boys couldn’t have made it out safely on their own. They had to depend on their rescuers to guide them carefully out.
Have you been in a situation where you felt completely in the dark about what to do next? Yep. Me too. We move deeper and deeper into the darkness with no way out on our own. It may not be a life-threatening circumstance, but a crucial one. While we wait on God to rescue us, here are a few things we can take to heart.
Sometimes waiting is the best thing we can do.
We shouldn’t just dive into the darkness with no direction or plan. We don’t know what God is preparing for us beyond what we can see.
‘For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!’ Isaiah 64:4
There is a lot we can do while we wait.
We can work to build our strength for the journey by feeding on the Word. We can take comfort in the encouragement of others. We can get ready by equipping ourselves to successfully navigate the passage.
As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.
Micah 7:7 NLT
I wait for the Lord , my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
Psalm 130:5 NIV
The Rescuer will let us know when it is time to move.
When it is time, we can step out confidently in faith, knowing God has prepared the way. We may be guided through more dark places to get to where we are meant to be. We don’t need to panic but remain calm and He will bring us safely out of the darkness and into the light.
And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 2 Corinthians 1:10 NLT
And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 2 Corinthians 1:10
