My trip to the Dahlonega Gold Mines last week brought forward more than one lesson. I’m still thankful for that school field trip with my daughter. As we made our way down the mine shafts, descending further and further into the depths of the earth, we came across a particular shaft that had been closed off. After blasting in a certain area, miners had disturbed the water table and flooded one of the passages to an area of interest. There was only so much they would be able to do given those circumstances and mining underwater became too dangerous.
As the tour guide told the extended story, he invited us to peer over the guardrail to look into the watery deep. It was frightening to be honest—thinking about lives that were lost and the halting of work. There were unseen realities and forgotten opportunities because of that event. It was bleak, as if all was lost.
A Cross
Then, as I stepped up to take my own moment to look down into the chasm, where the waters were lit to highlight the waters, I saw a cross! Now, it was actually an old handle to a piece of machinery that had been left as a prop, and yet I couldn’t look away from that beautiful shadow that cast a new meaning on an abandoned world below.
The shadow of a cross looking down a flooded mine shaft
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” —Colossians 1:13-14
This Colossians text preaches itself! How wonderful that through the power of the cross and the glory of the resurrection there is a great rescue from the sin of the world and a great saving to the kingdom of God! God has not abandoned us to the darkness, to the depths, to the cavernous deep of sin and death. He has truly come in order to bring us back to life and then give us life that is abundant and rich.
How amazing to encounter such a truth in the midst of a gold mine, a place where worldly treasure was abandoned and the glory of Heaven was revealed in that moment. I encourage you today, to not take for granted the reminders that God can use to encourage us in our faith. Those reminders (when they are from God) always encourage us in Him. He seeks to draw us into worship and into a gratitude of praise.
Be reminded today that the shadow of the cross looms over sin and death, reminding us that their hold on us is useless because of the victory of Jesus!
“O, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever…”
—Pastor Whit
Read more inspirational messages regarding faith by checking out past Whitt’s End articles.