Today I was reading about the boys soccer team, ages 11-16 who are trapped in a cave in Thailand. The rains flooded it so rapidly that they got trapped. There are 3 options to get them out. One, walking out after water subsides which could be months. Two, drill into cave from above to get them out. Three, scuba dive 3 miles out of the cave. All are not very feasible. The best as of today was to scuba out. It is about a 5 hour swim in scuba gear in murky water to get to safety. Can you imagine? This poses to be a difficult task on weak, emaciated, young boys who have never dove before. This seems hopeless.
The world and many countries have joined together to send the best people to examine the situation and create a plan to save these young boys and their coach.
They have managed to get food and medicine to them but getting them out is what the team needs now. As of today it all has been unsuccessful. The oxygen level is so depleted that they are at risk of life. Elon Musk said he would send engineers from SpaceX and the Boring Company to help, perhaps by building an “underwater air tunnel.” Just yesterday a Navy seal, who had years of experience and training died trying to get oxygen tanks to the boys. It was a 5 hour swim and his oxygen ran out before he could reach them.
This made me think of those far from God. Those who are at risk of eternal death separated from God. Those who need rescued. Many are searching for rescue but not finding it. God’s word tells us that God himself provided the rescue through his Son.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 )
We have the very answer to our world’s hopeless situation. Jesus Christ desires that none shall perish, not even one, and He is that answer. We are His people, His hands and feet joined together in the Body of Christ. Each one is equipped with a gifting to rescue. We are stronger together! Just like the team assembled to rescue the boys and their coach — unified together for the rescue at hand. Be willing to use what God has given you today! Join in with others. If we are to see and act like Jesus we will be willing to do whatever it takes, even if it costs us everything.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:13
Today, pray for those boys and their coach (and for their anxious families). Also, pray for those who need spiritual rescue.
Who do you know that needs rescued? What gifts do you have that God might use to rescue them? And are you willing to do whatever it takes?