2 Corinthians 4:6 – For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (ESV)

What is Hang Son Doong? To those who already know the answer: “Good job!” The rest can read the National Geographic article and see the pictures.

It is no ordinary hole in the ground. It is a doline, an underground cave or cavern that has broken through to the surface. Water is the agent which, over the centuries, has eroded and undermined the surface substrate progressively until it collapsed, bringing light where there once was only darkness. Apparently, this cave is at least two and a half miles in length — the biggest discovered so far. It is fascinating! One room is eight hundred feet high and capable of containing a half-mile block of forty-storey buildings!

There is a picture of an opening of the cave where there is a massive hole enabling light to shine down on the huge cavity below. Over the years, the floor under the opening has filled up with a jungle of greenery and life.

When I saw the pictures, something made me consider the contrast between the area in barren darkness and the area open to the sunshine, full of growth and life.

Isaiah 9:2 – The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. (ESV)

The Bible consistently uses light as a metaphor for the kingdom of God. Before Jesus saved us, we walked in the darkness of our sin. Then the light of Jesus’ salvation broke through from above.

Colossians 1:13-14 – He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (ESV)

The influence of God’s light should be obvious to those outside of the kingdom, through the abundant life that flourishes within us. The efficacy of the Holy Spirit in those of us who are children of God should be evident. If there is no “light” in us, then something is wrong. As believers, His light is in us!

Matthew 5:16 – In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)

As the followers of Jesus, we live under an open heaven where His light shines down on us and through us to those who are perishing and those whom we are called to serve! Is not that fact even more exciting than the marvel of Hang Son Doong?

Prayer: Lord, forgive us our sins — we want to be Your lights! We want to see growth in us and through us. Please overcome any hidden darkness by the power of Your Holy Spirit’s presence in us. May the joy of worship and praise in the name of Jesus wash away the darkness that seeks to make us barren. Amen.

Rod Marshall rmarshall@glos.ac.uk
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England