“The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inner depths of his heart.” Proverbs 20:27

Spelunking

Perhaps you remember the televised images in 2018 of a boys’ soccer team in Thailand that got stuck far in the recesses of a dark cave. Flooding closed off the exit for the 12 boys, aged 11-16, and their coach; a dramatic rescue operation took place involving over 10,000 people—from experienced cavers and divers, medical personnel, government officials, police officers, engineers, helicopter pilots, and soldiers. Eventually, all were rescued, and all the boys on the team lived. Sadly, two deaths did occur—both of them rescuers.

Caving, or spelunking, known as “potholing” in the United Kingdom and Ireland, is considered one of the extreme sports. This is the pastime of exploring cave systems, often deep underground. The only caves I have ever been in were above ground—and the inside of those were so dark that I could not see my hand in front of my face. I wouldn’t dare go in one without an experienced guide. Spelunkers wear hard helmets with bright lights attached to the front of them, so they can find their way.

When I read today’s Scripture, it sounded exactly like God spelunking in our hearts. His Word, His life, in our spirit is a light that is searching all the deepest parts of our hearts. He already knows what is hidden there, but we do not, and His light thus reveals the twists and turns, going ever deeper into unexplored recesses, back rooms, things buried deep underground where no man can see.

It takes awhile to get to the very back of a cave—the deep pool where it all begins. Likewise, we don’t usually know the beginnings of things in our hearts, and our Lord may take a long, twisty path to get there. And though the entry of a cave’s room may be tall and wide, yet the passageways to the hidden rooms beyond it are often nearly closed off. But that’s the thing about light—darkness can’t snuff it out. Even around the corner, you can see the light coming. You can try to seal off the entry, but it won’t work, for even the tiniest crack will show light on the other side.

Though the Holy Spirit is never called the Great Explorer, this is exactly what He is doing—going ever deeper, letting us discover what is hidden in our hearts, and perhaps even where it all began. There are gems there, friends. There are treasures hidden in these earthen vessels.

Lord, search me, know me, try me—and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me out of the darkness of hidden chains and bondage into the way everlasting. Amen.