John 15:1-5 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that is may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a natural wonder in the southeast portion of New Mexico. Its complex of nearly 120 caves is mapped to a maximum depth of 1600 feet below the surface. Three of those caves are open to the public.
Elevators can take visitors down to 750 feet below the surface to the public attractions where God’s subterranean beauty is on magnificent display. Yet, visitors are given an important safety warning before they visit – if the power goes out they must not take another step until the power is restored! In this situation, they should freeze in their tracks.
The rationale for this warning stems from a few important factors. First, at 750 feet below the ground and without artificial lighting, it is pitch black. With no ambient light source, the blackness is overwhelming and smothering. Eyes cannot adjust and instincts should not be trusted. Second, the terrain is rough, rugged, and steep. A small errant movement can place a visitor in a dangerous position and a harmful situation. Thus the emphatic warning – don’t take another step until the power is restored!
In our lives, we must heed this important warning apart from our enduring connection to God. When we are severed from the connection to the source of our power – the Lord Himself – we should not take another step until the connection is reestablished and power is restored. Without His lighting, the blackness is overwhelming and smothering. Our senses cannot adjust and our instincts should not be trusted. Furthermore, the terrain is rough, rugged, and steep. A small errant movement can place us in a dangerous position and a harmful situation. Don’t take another step until power is restored!
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO MAINTAIN A STEADY CONNECTION TO THE SOURCE OF TRUE POWER. God offers an emphatic warning for when we disconnect from Him – don’t take another step until power is restored.
