Monday, August 27, 2007

Monday Moment: Cave Dwelling

Rescue me... O Lord,
for I hide myself in You.
-Psalm 143:9


While in Mexico last week, our adventures took us to the Grutas de Garcia - the caves of Garcia, Nuevo Leon - outside Monterrey. I couldn't wait to explore. Eagerly, we boarded a jerky, elevator-looking suspended cable car and inched our way to the top of the mountain. I was never so glad to be at the top of a mountain in my entire life. Besides, there, upon the mountain's side, was the entrance to the most cavernous underground world I'd ever laid eyes on.

I've since forgotten all the statistics of the cave - who discovered it, how long they've known about it, how tall and wide it is. I may have forgotten all that, but I haven't forgotten the feeling I had there. I felt so utterly hidden away. Protected. Secure beneath and between layers of rock and fossilized sea. I felt like David, hiding from King Saul. Like Obadiah, hiding away prophets. Like Lot, hiding from destruction. I felt biblical, almost. It seemed the perfect place to turn a corner and stumble upon a waiting God... to round a corner and find God standing there, saying "What doest thou here?" (1 Kings 19:9).

It made me think, as I wandered through, about how all those biblical folks hid themselves away. When they were scared, threatened, angry or running, they ducked into caves. Always caves. Lucky them. Most of us don't have that luxury.

But we still hide, don't we? When we're scared, threatened, angry or running, we hide, too. We hide in work. In shopping. In food. In alcohol. In family. In hobbies. In sex. In movies. In life. When heartbreaks or setbacks or challenges or difficulties arise, there we go, ducking into our sedations and distractions of choice. Even as Christians - as people who fear and serve a living God - we run for cover and hide. We seek out the nearest cave and wait, dreading the day God finds us there and calls us out.

We all go through tough times. We're all cave dwellers. Cave hiders. I am, too. This week I'm coming upon my wedding anniversary. The anniversary of the most disastrous, terrifying, and heartbreaking day of my life. Just thinking of it makes me shake... then makes me sick. If ever there was a time to hide, this is it. And believe me, I will.

Only not in a cave. No sir. There's nothing for me in a cave. I've learned a lot this past year about hiding. I've learned there's a difference between losing yourself in life and losing yourself in the giver of life. I've learned there's a difference in waiting out your fear and sorrow in things and waiting out your fears and sorrows in trust. I've seen, firsthand, the futility of depending on others... on stuff... and the freedom in depending upon our Savior. I've come to recognize - in the midst of my hiding - that heart-saving, soul-renewing, hope-building salvation can only be found in the arms of Christ Jesus our Lord. Not in the bottom of a shopping bag. Or the end of a trip. Or hours at work. Or time with children. Or at the bank. Salvation - and safe hiding - can only be found in Jesus Christ. None other.

You don't need to travel, as I did, to the bottom of a cave to realize it's no place to spend your life. Literally or figuratively. You might have made your way in, but God can make your way out. Heck, even in the middle of a cave in Mexico I found light leading the way out. And not just any old light, either. Glorious light.

So allow me to ask you the same question I've asked myself: where do you hide? What cave have you been dwelling in? And isn't time to hide yourself in God?

Monday Moment is a little devotional to help kick-start your week. See you again next Monday!

17 comments:

Adrienne said...

Brin -
Thank you for another wonderful, thought-provoking devotion. You will be in my thoughts and prayers this week as you pass another hard milestone in your life. Remember that underneath you are the most incredible Everlasting arms - the arms of God, your Father. Lean hard!
~Adrienne~

Anonymous said...

What a great start to my week with your devotional, Brin. I so look forward to it every Monday morning.
Brave girl going into that cave and in a cable car..I am not into caves but I see what you mean about our 'hiding in caves' and not wanting to explore those..I will srive to keep 'hiding myself in God'.
Praying for you esp this week as you go through this hard time, Jesus will be there in 'that cave' with you. His promise is that He will never leave nor forsake us!

Unknown said...

Oh Brin, don't hide from your past, it's made you the strong willed girl that you are today, and all the hardships make way for blessings! Hugs!!

Linnee said...

Lovely post, Brin...and so true.

And...is it just me...or does anybody else see an elephant in the second photo? lol

Lindy :)

Brin said...

Gosh!

Thanks, everyone, for your kind sentiments and wishes. I'm afraid my sentiments must not have translated into words how I would have hoped, however. Sure, I'll try to duck some memories this week, but I'm fine. Every day that I'm out of that situation and away from him is a day that I count as blessed. Is a day that I'm thrilled to be alive. Is a moment that I'm happy for second chances and God's infinite grace. :)

Thanks, though, for the kind words and support. You all mean more to me than you'll EVER know!

Brin

Anonymous said...

We're with you; and more importantly, HE'S with us....

Unknown said...

WOW! That would be impress to see right in the middle of a cave!

BellaColle said...

Oh thank you for such an awesome Mon. post!! I look forward everyweek to what you have to say... Yet again you have hit the nail on the head! Horrible week and I am hiding...Don't you hide!Please! You are soo annointed!!

Carrie Barron said...

Brin,

Thank you for sharing your heart once again. Your openness and honesty are both refreshing, and a kick in the butt. God surely knew that I needed to stumble upon your blog.

And thanks for sharing such great pictures. I often feel like I could step right into them.

Blessings,
Carrie

Terri Steffes said...

Wow, what passion. I can see there is a story in there, and I hope that sharing it helps you. I love seeing how your deep devotion was revealed through seeing the cave. Awesome.

Anonymous said...

Wow! That was so well written. I just stumbled upo your blog and didn't expect to find so much substance and insight from someone as young as you are. Wonderful inspiration is found here, I'll be checking in regularly now!

Anonymous said...

Love the cave illustration and lovely photos, too. You are so right, there are so many ways to hide from God and put Him off while we indulge in things that really don't satisfy. I love how you have this Monday moment, putting God first.

I look forward to reading it,

xo,

Melissa

sister sheri said...

Dear Brin - My sister-in-law, cammyk of Freckled Farm fame, thought I might enjoy your blog. Wow! She was right. You feel like a kindred spirit and you have encouraged me to share more of what God has been showing me in my garden through my blog.

"Faith must be tested, because it can only become your intimate possession through conflict." - Oswald Chambers

tam said...

Hi Brin,
Thank you for devotionals that you might not even realize that you are blessed with. I guess I am a "lurker" just realized what that is and what a "blog" is. I share your insight with my husband and we both love the insight and word that is blessed through you. You are a tool, a precious tool, that we are blessed with your enlightment. Thank you so much!
Tam

Heather said...

I just loved this post!! WOW!! It is the best blog post and it is just wonderful!!

Lallee said...

I needed this TODAY....so I'm glad I'm late reading your post. Thanks, Brin!

Anonymous said...

I cannot begin to tell you how much I needed to read this morning.
This will probably, and no exaggeration here, stay with me the rest of my life.

Thank you. Your words have made a huge difference.