How much are you aware of the current crisis involving the miners trapped in Chile? There are 33 men trapped under millions of tons of collapsed rock 700 meters (nearly half a mile) beneath the surface. They are having to ration food to the degree that all of them will sport less than a 26 inch waist line when they are finally rescued (the drill bit that will bore through the rock will be 26 inches in circumference). They could be trapped for months. Former hostage Brian Keenan, held for four and a half years in Beirut in the 1980s, wrote about the psychological effect this could have on the miners who could be trapped there in the dark, confined emergency shelter for months (www.telegraph.co.uk). He reports the words of the most senior minor, Mario Gomez, who has the best possible perspective despite a grim, terrifying position. Gomez said, "I want to tell everyone that I'm good and we'll surely come out okay. Patience and faith. God is great and the help of my God is going to make it possible to leave this mine alive" (ibid.).
I have known a great many people who were trapped alive. They were buried under tons of the rubble of bad habits and addictions, from pernicious pornography to abominable alcohol. They hate those behaviors, but they have not left that hole for safety. Some have painted themselves into a corner that they feel they cannot leave due to pride, grudge-bearing, or hurt. They will not say "I am sorry" or "I am wrong," and they are keeping themselves in a deep, dark hole. Some are stuck in a bad, unhealthy, and spiritually detrimental relationship, and they lie buried underneath their guilt, fear, or anticipated loneliness. So many have allowed themselves to be buried. They are miserable, they hate where they are, and they feel trapped!
The Chilean miners are dependent upon help from above. They cannot save themselves. Oh, that those trapped beneath the wreckage of wickedness could appreciate that fact in their situation. The great news is that God can rescue immediately. But we must turn loose of the debris and come to the light. If those miners could leave that hole today, you know they would! To stay would be insensible. So it is with the pit of spiritual despair I've described. To stay in darkness, hopelessness, and the fear of the judgment is folly! God is waiting to rescue you.
Neal Pollard
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