Scuba Pete
Le plongeur avec attitude...
Last week, I finished my "Into to Cave Diving", which means that I have only about ten or so more cave dives to become "full cave" certified. One of the tenets of cave diving is having a continual line to the surface. We even use "cave arrows" to make sure we know which way to air. During a cave dive, we use a myriad of tools to make sure that we can find our way back out while still living. Redundancy is key, as I carry three lights, an extra mask, two cutting tools, two sets of regulators and a redundant air supply. Some say that common sense is optional. 
But this class is to prepare me for the worst possible scenario. Like what if EVERYTHING failed? So we do a number of exercises. During one exercise, my light is turned off and my mask taken away with little warning. I am then led some distance from the "line" turned about a bit, and then shoved unceremoniously into a small crevice. All alone, it is now up to me (with eyes closed) to find that line. This has to be a systematic search because in a real life situation, my life WOULD depend on it.
My first task is to find an anchor. I tie my spool line to this anchor so I know where I started from. Then, very carefully, I start creeping along the bottom looking for that line. Sometimes I hit a rise and I have to carefully go over it. Sometimes I bumped my head, but I still have to find that line. Sometimes I find a dip (just like in real life), but still I press on carefully looking for that line. Once I hit the other side, I change directions and proceed UP the wall. But where is that line? I am very careful that I keep my spool next to the surface of the rock at all times as I don't want to miss that line. When I finally hit the ceiling, I let my body dangle as I continue to circumnavigate that passage with my hands running over the rock. At this point I feel the line touch me just below the knee. Even through my drysuit and thermals, I realise what it is that I hit. Milliseconds later I feel the line from my spool hit it too! I found it twice! With a deft movement, I grab the line with a vengeance... you could not pry me off of it. Now I make a few mental calculations and make a call as to which way is "out". I tie in a cave arrow pointing that way, and then I tie my spool into that arrow. I abandon my spool and head "out", being careful to be in contact with the line at ALL times. When I encounter my first cave arrow, I feel it carefully to see which way it's pointed. Now that I know I am going in the right direction my instructor calls the exercise.
As I reflected on this after the fact, I realized that my "Salvation" is like that line in a cave. My initial beliefs are that anchor, but I knew that they wouldn't save me. So I started to seek God and salvation conscientiously and systematically. The more systematic I made it, the more likely my search would be successful. Yes, I kept the line tied to my anchor for reference as I searched first one way and then the next, overcoming all obstacles along the way. My understanding of how lost I was determined the intensity of my search. But I believed that if I sought the truth I would find it... so it is with the line. If I looked for it, it would be there!
But then once I had the line in my hands (for there is no mistaking when we have finally grasped salvation) I had to choose the right direction. I had to respond to the truth with a choice. I could have taken the path of salvation down towards more darkness. I could have ignored the "arrows" along the way, bound and determined that I was going the right way and saying it's the arrows that are wrong. Yes, the truth always leads to the light but without a reference, it is easy to get confused. Or I could have been lax about the line and left it at my peril. I could have grown impatient and thought that there is another even quicker line that is further to the left or right. Making out on my own in the darkness without a reference, I would ensure my spiritual death. But if I stuck to the truth, minding the arrows on the way, I would soon see the light at the end of the cave. What a happy cheery sight that is too!
That is what honest seeking is all about.
Caveat: Cave diving is a dangerous sport. Do NOT attempt it without the proper training, equipment, and attitude.
But this class is to prepare me for the worst possible scenario. Like what if EVERYTHING failed? So we do a number of exercises. During one exercise, my light is turned off and my mask taken away with little warning. I am then led some distance from the "line" turned about a bit, and then shoved unceremoniously into a small crevice. All alone, it is now up to me (with eyes closed) to find that line. This has to be a systematic search because in a real life situation, my life WOULD depend on it.
My first task is to find an anchor. I tie my spool line to this anchor so I know where I started from. Then, very carefully, I start creeping along the bottom looking for that line. Sometimes I hit a rise and I have to carefully go over it. Sometimes I bumped my head, but I still have to find that line. Sometimes I find a dip (just like in real life), but still I press on carefully looking for that line. Once I hit the other side, I change directions and proceed UP the wall. But where is that line? I am very careful that I keep my spool next to the surface of the rock at all times as I don't want to miss that line. When I finally hit the ceiling, I let my body dangle as I continue to circumnavigate that passage with my hands running over the rock. At this point I feel the line touch me just below the knee. Even through my drysuit and thermals, I realise what it is that I hit. Milliseconds later I feel the line from my spool hit it too! I found it twice! With a deft movement, I grab the line with a vengeance... you could not pry me off of it. Now I make a few mental calculations and make a call as to which way is "out". I tie in a cave arrow pointing that way, and then I tie my spool into that arrow. I abandon my spool and head "out", being careful to be in contact with the line at ALL times. When I encounter my first cave arrow, I feel it carefully to see which way it's pointed. Now that I know I am going in the right direction my instructor calls the exercise.
As I reflected on this after the fact, I realized that my "Salvation" is like that line in a cave. My initial beliefs are that anchor, but I knew that they wouldn't save me. So I started to seek God and salvation conscientiously and systematically. The more systematic I made it, the more likely my search would be successful. Yes, I kept the line tied to my anchor for reference as I searched first one way and then the next, overcoming all obstacles along the way. My understanding of how lost I was determined the intensity of my search. But I believed that if I sought the truth I would find it... so it is with the line. If I looked for it, it would be there!
But then once I had the line in my hands (for there is no mistaking when we have finally grasped salvation) I had to choose the right direction. I had to respond to the truth with a choice. I could have taken the path of salvation down towards more darkness. I could have ignored the "arrows" along the way, bound and determined that I was going the right way and saying it's the arrows that are wrong. Yes, the truth always leads to the light but without a reference, it is easy to get confused. Or I could have been lax about the line and left it at my peril. I could have grown impatient and thought that there is another even quicker line that is further to the left or right. Making out on my own in the darkness without a reference, I would ensure my spiritual death. But if I stuck to the truth, minding the arrows on the way, I would soon see the light at the end of the cave. What a happy cheery sight that is too!
That is what honest seeking is all about.
Caveat: Cave diving is a dangerous sport. Do NOT attempt it without the proper training, equipment, and attitude.
