Caves

 I Kings 19 tells the story of the prophet Elijah when, at a low point in his life, he sought to hide himself in a cave. God, as is His way, came to him there and asked, not once but twice, "What are you doing here Elijah?" Caves seem to be the place where we most often go in the midst of discouragement, heartache, loss, and failure. I've a lot of experience with them myself.

In my 20's I entered into a lifestyle of drug use. I spent most of my time high on something and was always seeking better and longer lasting highs. I started with marijuana but moved on to hash, mescaline, speed, and downers. I eventually discovered what I thought the best of all; cocaine. Yet the highs always left me the same way, disenchanted with my life and feeling isolated and hopeless. My own personal cave.

Then God, who never ceases His pursuit, brought an old friend and fellow partaker into my life. I thought he'd have some good dope to share. Instead, He shared with me about Jesus Christ. He told me of what He had done in his life and the promise of what He could do in mine. I disregarded his words at that time, but I couldn't get away from the transformation I saw in him. Neither could I get away from Christ Himself. I ran from Him, going deeper into my hopelessness and deeper into my cave, but He continued to haunt me. 

The cave had become my home but through events and circumstances woven together by Him, His pursuit continued. On a Sunday evening in August of 1979, in the dining room of the home I grew up in, He asked me a form of the same question put to Elijah. What was I doing here? Why would I stay here? That evening, I yielded to Him, came out of the cave, and was free. In the place where darkness and death had reigned, life and light came bursting in.

All things became new. The drug use ceased. I started attending church with my friend. I entered into His life with a whole heart and all went well for several months. Then one night, feeling discouraged and weary, some other old friends came by with a bag of dope. Joints were lit and passed around. When it came to me, I took it and continued to do so as it made its way around the circle. The effects were immediate, but strangely, though I knew I'd been affected, I felt very removed from all of it. I then heard the voice of His Spirit whispering to me. He asked, "Is what you're experiencing now in any way like what you received when you first met Me?" I knew it was Him and could only say in my heart, "No Lord, It doesn't at all. There is nothing here for me." With that thought, I was instantly sober and clear headed. I walked away from that gathering and never looked back. He'd come to my cave, again, asked what I was doing there, and I could only answer, "Nothing of any value Lord." I left my cave anew and came back into the fullness of His life.

There have been other caves since then. Emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Hiding from Him because of discouragement, disappointment, bitterness, unforgiveness, or feelings of failure. The caves were always dark, but He always found me there, asking His familiar question; "What are you doing here?" and always I had to reply, "Nothing that brings me Your life Lord." There was nothing there that could bring me what I had in Him. No cave, no matter how comfortable we may make it, offers what can only be found in Him.

What cave might you be hiding in today? Have you been so long there that it feels like home? Be sure that to that cave He will come and His question will be asked; "What are you doing here?" With the question will come His offer of light, life, and freedom. Your choice will be to take His hand and come out, or to shrink back into the depths of the cave. What will you do? He calls you out. Will you come?

Blessings,
Pastor O