Miners

Watching the 60 Minutes special on the miners who were rescued in Chile. It's amazing the strength and perseverance these men possess. They survived 69 days. Incredible. What is really profound is how these many months later they are still surrounded by the walls of that mine. Men are struggling with depression and nightmares of darkness even as they live. Some would rather be dead than struggling with the reality of life. They are struggling to relate with the life that is, when they were so close to letting go of that life.

I have recently shared with a few close friends that I am ready when the time comes, to go see Jesus. Though I don't want to let go of this life in this very minute, I know when God is ready for me, I will be right where I want to be; in His arms. I imagine many of the Chilean men came to this same place, just to have it ripped away at the moment of acceptance. Now they are left, with a world that is much darker than the mine they survived. Very bleak, is it not?

Many who have never been trapped in the dire circumstances of these strong men struggle in the same darkness. Maybe it wasn't 69 days. Maybe it was 69 seconds, or 69 minutes of hell on earth. Maybe it was 6.9 seconds of realizing a humanity that threatens to steal the joy God promises. Whatever the time frame, the reality of darkness steals from each of us the precious vision that our God strives for our hearts to obtain. He never wanted us to fear, to hate, to struggle with this world. But, here we are.

The hope is, here He is. He is here in our darkness and pain. He struggled with the miners, and He persists with them through the ongoing struggle they now face as light brightens their day, but the night looms heavier than the darkness in the mines. He is here in our darkness. While we face the loss, the sadness, the distractions, the fear and the hate, He is here. I admit, His presence often feels far from the dark moments I encounter in my waking hours. I see the pain of those who are losing battles of addiction, cancer, sickness, and death; and I wonder, where are you Jesus?

Then I remember the smile of my friend who shared her song of suffering and of hope after telling me about being lost and forsaken in this world of danger and abuse. She reminded me of Jesus' unending presence in the darkness. Though this is just a recollection, and I am no longer allowed to witness the Jesus that speaks through her witness, I have the precious memory of our God who lived in that moment with us. I am privileged to see the Jesus that speaks through my dear friend who struggles with the reality of addiction which threatens to steal her family and the precious child she raised. He speaks daily in her life, and thankfully, I see Him in her witness. As I pray for healing and peace in the hearts of those I love, I also acknowledge that my Jesus is speaking through their witness, even in the darkness.

I am reminded this evening of the power of Jesus. For those miners, who lived through the unspeakable, I pray for peace and healing of their souls. I will not blame our Lord for the pain they are struggling to overcome, but I will ask Him to be the healer that promises to bring them light and life, despite their circumstances. I will not be so bold to remind them of the power of His mighty name, because I believe they are far stronger witnesses to His presence. But, I will gladly raise my voice in praise and thanksgiving for the lives He reconciles in the darkness, and the light he offers to those who believe.