“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God, how vast is the sum of them.”—Psalm 139:16-17. (NLT)
A couple of weeks ago the world collectively held its breath. From all around the globe we were on the same team rooting for the same outcome. We wanted the coach and every single one of the boys on the Wild Boar youth soccer team to make it out of the cave alive.
Something as innocent as wanting the boys to write their names on the cave turned treacherous and unpredictable.
Relentless wind and torrential rain pushed water into the cave shutting off exits and forcing the team up through the tunnels in search of dry ground. They stayed in darkness from June 23 until they were located on July 2. Ten days in darkness, seventeen days until they were all rescued.
I close my eyes and try to imagine what it meant to hear the voices of rescuers. Were they far away, no, they’re coming near—and then to see a light pierce the darkness. Did they see angels in hard hats instead of dirty men? I imagine elation infused with the hope that all was going to be okay. They were going to get out and see their families again.
As the rescue mission unfolded, I read that it took an 11-hour round trip for the first evacuation with the remaining two trips taking nine hours each. The commander in charge of the US operations shared they were realistic in admitting there was a “low probability of success.” In short, he was admitting there would be loss of life in the process of their efforts.
Who would it be? Someone on the soccer team or the rescue team? According to the “low probability of success,” one team would likely experience a loss.
It would be the Thai rescue team. They lost former elite Navy SEAL, Samarn Kunan. He died in the cave on July 5 while laying oxygen tanks along a potential exit route.
Just a few days ago I read that the local official in charge of the search-and-rescue operation stated that the main pump suddenly failed soon after the last four boys and coach were moved to safety. The Royal Thai Navy members and support team barely made it out in time, leaving 300 air tanks in the cave.
Some will say that was typical of equipment and pass over the unusual decrease in rain during a monsoon. They’ll credit the brave men and women, their professionalism, and the strategies used as the reason for the victorious outcome. While I definitely agree with those factors, I’d be interested in hearing from the individual rescuers.
What were they thinking as they moved in and through the tough terrain? One minute they were creeping through low long tunnels, then swimming underwater through deep caverns, going through terrain changes for hours at a time. What were their thoughts as they were leading young, weak, and scared boys through the same conditions?
I think of the vulnerability in their eyes yet the courage in their hearts, the instinctive drive to get out, and the determination to make it happen.
In addition to the obvious challenges, at the beginning of the mission they pulled a professional, elite Navy Seal out of a body of water in the cave and were unable to revive him. Certainly, they had as much training and heart as he to see this through to the best possible outcome. Reality forced them to admit that “low probability” just got upgraded to 100% factual. Who did they lean on to be successful as individuals?
In the end, Sarmarn was the only loss of life. All twelve boys and their coach were led to safety. And the remaining Royal Thai Navy members and support team made it out alive.
The hand of man or the hand of God? Each heart will have to decide, but there is one fact we cannot negate: God is intimately involved in His creation. The wind and the waves answer to Him. Cave conditions and the rainwater answer to Him. Poisonous gases and oxygen answer to Him. Man-made pumps and equipment answer to Him. Man answers to Him. God called on Sarmarn’s life that day.
Have any ordinary situations become things you regret? Have you had to head for higher ground because consequences are getting deep? What would a kind voice mean to you in the midst of that situation. Or how about a light to show you the way out?
Embracing who God is enables you to experience Him and His heart for you. I’ll admit that even unbelievers experience miracles but when you draw close to God you get glimpses and insight to why you’re here. Your miracles encourage you because you experience the heart of the Father. Ask Him what He has written for you. If God is anything, He’s a Father first, gentle and loving. He’ll never pressure you or strong arm you. The choice to love Him or seek Him will always be a choice you get to make.
He’s placed goals, dreams, and desires in our genetic makeup. He’s invested in you every single day. His heart is to see all that He has planned for you come to fruition. He can use any circumstance or situation you find yourself in.
Would you be encouraged if you saw what His vision for your life is? Ask Him today. Take time to talk with Him and write down anything you see or feel. Hold it up to who He is and see if anything stirs your heart to pursue it. Ask Him where you need to start. And then take action!
Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These questions reflect my heart, NOT my profession.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It can serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understand it. My hope is that you will take what you discover and hold it up to the Light to evaluate it against who God says you are.
- What are some of the dark places you need to take an honest look at?
- Are you having trouble shining light on these places? If so, why?
- Do you think you’ve gone too far and God would not want to help you? What is that belief based on?
- Recall and write here a time when you knew God had moved His hand in your favor. Satan’s goal is to kill you, but God—in His kindness and great love for you—stands up and says, “Not today, Satan.”
- Do you believe God has written a beautiful love story for you in His book about your life?
Use God’s word to take control over traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts, take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises found in His word.
Print, then cut and carry this Scripture with you and/or post it in places where you will see it often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
Here is what God’s word says to encourage you and to give you an example of His unfailing, relentless, unending love for you:
“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God, how vast is the sum of them.”—Psalm 139:16-17 (NLT)
Read God’s word and say to yourself: God has purposefully written and spoken things over me that I am to fulfill while here. There is a grand calling on my life, and my life has purpose.
Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
