What a time we had though... I knew even before we went what my post was going to be for today. God's word is always so clear to me in the darkest of places possible.
Sunday we went spelunking... crawling through an extremely uneven and jagged cave. We stopped in the middle where there was enough room for us all to sit down. And we shut out all of our flashlights - pitch black. There was no difference between keeping your eyes closed or open. You couldn't see the hand in front of your face. For many students this was an intense fear that they were facing. And they toughed it out.
One of the leaders carried in a guitar and we sang some worship right there in the darkness... What a picture of God's holiness. To penetrate the dark with such an intense light. Often when you work with students you learn more or are effected more by what is taught than the students are - I can only hope and pray the the students really took some time to listen to what God had to say to them.
He desires so much to fill the darkness with light. In their lives, in mine... and in yours.
Such great stuff - I hadn't seen that video before but I love it.
ReplyDeletetha second photo is impressive!
ReplyDeleteIt is always amazing to have the chance to pray in an amazing natural setting.
ReplyDeleteI think that is great that you prayed that the students were able to listen to God. What a gift it is to have someone pray for your prayer life.
How cool -- to rejoice the light through pitch darkness. I love that image -- what an awesome experience.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Hear It On Sunday--30+ years ago, when I was a teenager, my youth pastor took our youth group up to an old abandoned railroad tunnel that was over a quarter of a mile long in a curve. Like your cave, when we were in the center of the tunnel, we were instructed to turn off our flashlights--as you experience, there was no difference between open eyes or shut. We were all quiet, and so struck with how almost tangible the darkness felt. Then the youth pastor lit a single match just to show us how the darkness flees, even in the face of one tiny light. UNFORGETTABLE!! Somehow I don't think you have to worry about whether this experience will have lasting impact. I love the idea of singing in the dark-that must have been so powerful!!
ReplyDeleteLovely images with great scriptures. Sounds like a powerful time growing closer to God!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, and seriously awesome photos! Love it!
ReplyDeleteWow - that makes me nervous just thinking of it; sitting in the darkness. But yes, what a powerful way to feel God's presence. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Hear it/Use it.