What Cave Diving Taught Me About Jesus

>> Welcome back. My name is Caleb. >> Welcome back. My name is Caleb. >> I'm Mish. >> I'm Mish. >> I'm Mish. >> I'm Sierra. >> I'm Sierra. >> I'm Sierra. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> And uh this week we're going to look at >> And uh this week we're going to look at >> And uh this week we're going to look at a couple passages that talk about light. a couple passages that talk about light. a couple passages that talk about light. Actually, all of them tie together on Actually, all of them tie together on Actually, all of them tie together on that one theme and we're starting today that one theme and we're starting today that one theme and we're starting today in John chapter 8. Jesus makes a really in John chapter 8. Jesus makes a really in John chapter 8. Jesus makes a really big statement, "I am the light of the big statement, "I am the light of the big statement, "I am the light of the world." world." world." Before we get any deeper than that, I Before we get any deeper than that, I Before we get any deeper than that, I want to ask you, want to ask you, want to ask you, what do you think that means? What What what do you think that means? What What what do you think that means? What What is Jesus saying about God? is Jesus saying about God? is Jesus saying about God? Or about himself, actually. Or about himself, actually. Or about himself, actually. >> This is a total guess. >> This is a total guess. >> This is a total guess. I would imagine I would imagine I would imagine in a time before electricity existed, I in a time before electricity existed, I in a time before electricity existed, I know there were still candle lights and know there were still candle lights and know there were still candle lights and ways to illuminate, but like the idea of ways to illuminate, but like the idea of ways to illuminate, but like the idea of total darkness total darkness total darkness was more present. was more present. was more present. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> And the fact that like someone can say, >> And the fact that like someone can say, >> And the fact that like someone can say, "I can actually show it like when there "I can actually show it like when there "I can actually show it like when there is a light in in John 8." I think it is a light in in John 8." I think it is a light in in John 8." I think it does say like, "You'll be able to see." does say like, "You'll be able to see." does say like, "You'll be able to see." Like if you Like if you Like if you follow me, you will have sight to see follow me, you will have sight to see follow me, you will have sight to see what's in front of you. So, the fact what's in front of you. So, the fact what's in front of you. So, the fact that Jesus is saying, "I am the light of that Jesus is saying, "I am the light of that Jesus is saying, "I am the light of the world, when you follow me." I think the world, when you follow me." I think the world, when you follow me." I think he's saying you will always see the way.

he's saying you will always see the way. he's saying you will always see the way. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> You will always see the path in front of >> You will always see the path in front of >> You will always see the path in front of you and where you're supposed to go. you and where you're supposed to go. you and where you're supposed to go. >> Great. >> Great. >> Great. >> Have you guys ever been in total >> Have you guys ever been in total >> Have you guys ever been in total darkness before? darkness before? darkness before? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Terrifying. >> Terrifying. >> Terrifying. >> Yeah. I went to um with some friends the >> Yeah. I went to um with some friends the >> Yeah. I went to um with some friends the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. Red River Gorge in Kentucky. Red River Gorge in Kentucky. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And they have these >> And they have these >> And they have these >> Are those caves? >> Are those caves? >> Are those caves? >> Caves. Yes. Have you done that before? >> Caves. Yes. Have you done that before? >> Caves. Yes. Have you done that before? >> I've not, but I really want to. >> I've not, but I really want to. >> I've not, but I really want to. >> So, there are these caves. I don't even >> So, there are these caves. I don't even >> So, there are these caves. I don't even remember what they were. Maybe like some remember what they were. Maybe like some remember what they were. Maybe like some mining caves or something that have mining caves or something that have mining caves or something that have filled with water and you can do these filled with water and you can do these filled with water and you can do these boat tours and you have to wear boat tours and you have to wear boat tours and you have to wear headlamps and they're really cold. So, headlamps and they're really cold. So, headlamps and they're really cold. So, we went in the summertime, but you wore we went in the summertime, but you wore we went in the summertime, but you wore jackets because they're really cold. And jackets because they're really cold. And jackets because they're really cold. And you go in boats and you get to a point you go in boats and you get to a point you go in boats and you get to a point in the cave where there is actual no in the cave where there is actual no in the cave where there is actual no natural light. So, there's no sunlight natural light. So, there's no sunlight natural light. So, there's no sunlight whatsoever. And they have you turn off whatsoever. And they have you turn off whatsoever. And they have you turn off all your headlights so that you can all your headlights so that you can all your headlights so that you can experience true darkness. And all I experience true darkness. And all I experience true darkness. And all I remember feeling in that moment was I remember feeling in that moment was I remember feeling in that moment was I kept taking my hands and going like this kept taking my hands and going like this kept taking my hands and going like this to like you cannot see. There is to like you cannot see. There is to like you cannot see. There is nothing. And it was the most bizarre nothing. And it was the most bizarre nothing. And it was the most bizarre experience. Your all of your other experience. Your all of your other experience. Your all of your other senses almost heighten. So you can I senses almost heighten. So you can I senses almost heighten. So you can I noticed things that I could hear, things noticed things that I could hear, things noticed things that I could hear, things that I could smell or everything was that I could smell or everything was that I could smell or everything was just heightened.

just heightened. just heightened. But I also remember the guide talking But I also remember the guide talking But I also remember the guide talking about how powerful light is. And he said about how powerful light is. And he said about how powerful light is. And he said even if there was the smallest of even if there was the smallest of even if there was the smallest of someone's phone lit up in their pocket, someone's phone lit up in their pocket, someone's phone lit up in their pocket, it would kind of ruin the experience it would kind of ruin the experience it would kind of ruin the experience because of how powerful light is. And I because of how powerful light is. And I because of how powerful light is. And I I just think of how powerful light is in I just think of how powerful light is in I just think of how powerful light is in this context of this context of this context of even in complete and total darkness, the even in complete and total darkness, the even in complete and total darkness, the smallest smallest source of light can smallest smallest source of light can smallest smallest source of light can break through break through break through what can feel so overwhelming and so what can feel so overwhelming and so what can feel so overwhelming and so scary and scary and scary and I don't know, I think that is a really I don't know, I think that is a really I don't know, I think that is a really good representation of Jesus and God. good representation of Jesus and God. good representation of Jesus and God. Like this he's so powerful. The smallest Like this he's so powerful. The smallest Like this he's so powerful. The smallest little piece of him can illuminate and little piece of him can illuminate and little piece of him can illuminate and change an entire space. change an entire space. change an entire space. >> Yeah, absolutely. That's good. Darkness >> Yeah, absolutely. That's good. Darkness >> Yeah, absolutely. That's good. Darkness can't overcome the light even the can't overcome the light even the can't overcome the light even the smallest amount. We're going to get to smallest amount. We're going to get to smallest amount. We're going to get to that later. that later. that later. >> Yeah, what does it say like the absence >> Yeah, what does it say like the absence >> Yeah, what does it say like the absence darkness is the absence of light, right? darkness is the absence of light, right? darkness is the absence of light, right? And that it's not the And that it's not the And that it's not the >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> It's not like the opposite of light. It >> It's not like the opposite of light. It >> It's not like the opposite of light. It is just the absence of light.

is just the absence of light. is just the absence of light. >> Amazing. >> Amazing. >> Amazing. >> I think about the fear that I had as a >> I think about the fear that I had as a >> I think about the fear that I had as a kid. Like as soon as I would turn off kid. Like as soon as I would turn off kid. Like as soon as I would turn off the lights downstairs coming from the the lights downstairs coming from the the lights downstairs coming from the kitchen, up until like two years ago I kitchen, up until like two years ago I kitchen, up until like two years ago I would still like run up the stairs. would still like run up the stairs. would still like run up the stairs. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Yes, monsters in the basement. >> Yes, monsters in the basement. >> Yes, monsters in the basement. >> Up until like yesterday. >> Up until like yesterday. >> Up until like yesterday. >> [laughter] >> NO THANK YOU TO sprinting in the dark. >> NO THANK YOU TO sprinting in the dark. >> No thank you to a dark basement. >> No thank you to a dark basement. >> No thank you to a dark basement. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Yeah, so light so maybe to to summarize >> Yeah, so light so maybe to to summarize >> Yeah, so light so maybe to to summarize all those things, light helps us find all those things, light helps us find all those things, light helps us find our way cuz darkness is like super super our way cuz darkness is like super super our way cuz darkness is like super super disorienting. disorienting. disorienting. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um light can dispel fear, right? Light I >> Um light can dispel fear, right? Light I >> Um light can dispel fear, right? Light I think about the sun. Light causes things think about the sun. Light causes things think about the sun. Light causes things to grow. It allows us to to grow. It allows us to to grow. It allows us to find ourself in the world, right? We're find ourself in the world, right? We're find ourself in the world, right? We're just lost in darkness. We have no just lost in darkness. We have no just lost in darkness. We have no vantage point for like where to go or vantage point for like where to go or vantage point for like where to go or what to do. what to do. what to do. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Jesus calls himself the light of the >> Jesus calls himself the light of the >> Jesus calls himself the light of the world, he's saying something about world, he's saying something about world, he's saying something about himself which we just talked about. himself which we just talked about. himself which we just talked about. Now I want to open it up. What is What Now I want to open it up. What is What Now I want to open it up. What is What does this passage say about you? does this passage say about you? does this passage say about you? Or does it say about humanity as a Or does it say about humanity as a Or does it say about humanity as a whole? Although I would love it to focus whole? Although I would love it to focus whole? Although I would love it to focus on you. Let's not Let's not talk on you. Let's not Let's not talk on you. Let's not Let's not talk [laughter] about everyone else.

[laughter] about everyone else. [laughter] about everyone else. What's he just saying about me right What's he just saying about me right What's he just saying about me right >> Everyone else is in darkness >> Everyone else is in darkness >> Everyone else is in darkness >> Like for example, I very easily will >> Like for example, I very easily will >> Like for example, I very easily will lose my way. Like not just on Google lose my way. Like not just on Google lose my way. Like not just on Google Maps, although I still need those and Maps, although I still need those and Maps, although I still need those and I've lived here for like 10 years. I I've lived here for like 10 years. I I've lived here for like 10 years. I still need Google Maps to get places, still need Google Maps to get places, still need Google Maps to get places, but like I will absolutely walk the but like I will absolutely walk the but like I will absolutely walk the wrong direction or focus on the wrong wrong direction or focus on the wrong wrong direction or focus on the wrong things, choose projects over people, things, choose projects over people, things, choose projects over people, measure myself by my success, like measure myself by my success, like measure myself by my success, like things that don't matter in the long things that don't matter in the long things that don't matter in the long run. But I I need the light of Christ to run. But I I need the light of Christ to run. But I I need the light of Christ to help me help me help me >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> go the right direction. >> go the right direction. >> go the right direction. >> I think that's it. That's like what it >> I think that's it. That's like what it >> I think that's it. That's like what it says about me, what it says about says about me, what it says about says about me, what it says about humanity is there's lots of people who humanity is there's lots of people who humanity is there's lots of people who do great things. They make money without do great things. They make money without do great things. They make money without Christ. They are kind to people without Christ. They are kind to people without Christ. They are kind to people without without Christ. They without Christ. They without Christ. They I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Do all sorts of amazing, wonderful, Do all sorts of amazing, wonderful, Do all sorts of amazing, wonderful, great things without Christ. great things without Christ. great things without Christ. What this is saying is What this is saying is What this is saying is the path, the way, the proper like the path, the way, the proper like the path, the way, the proper like the thing that God wants for us is not the thing that God wants for us is not the thing that God wants for us is not what this world will say will always say what this world will say will always say what this world will say will always say is good. It's not even that those good is good. It's not even that those good is good. It's not even that those good things are not good.

things are not good. things are not good. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> that there is some completely different >> that there is some completely different >> that there is some completely different purpose that is in Christ that only he purpose that is in Christ that only he purpose that is in Christ that only he can illuminate. can illuminate. can illuminate. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. Well, Well, Well, >> Yeah. I think light >> Yeah. I think light >> Yeah. I think light there's been a wrestle with me I think there's been a wrestle with me I think there's been a wrestle with me I think in processing in processing in processing the good the full goodness of light the good the full goodness of light the good the full goodness of light because I think light can bring because I think light can bring because I think light can bring exposure, but it also can bring warmth. exposure, but it also can bring warmth. exposure, but it also can bring warmth. So, So, So, >> I think there's this this line that we >> I think there's this this line that we >> I think there's this this line that we walk that's like comforting, but also walk that's like comforting, but also walk that's like comforting, but also confronting. confronting. confronting. Of, okay. Like, it can bring both, and Of, okay. Like, it can bring both, and Of, okay. Like, it can bring both, and that's that's great, and that's what that's that's great, and that's what that's that's great, and that's what it's supposed to do. But, also it can be it's supposed to do. But, also it can be it's supposed to do. But, also it can be uncomfortable because uncomfortable because uncomfortable because that's the intent of life, fully. that's the intent of life, fully. that's the intent of life, fully. Like, it shows everything in full Like, it shows everything in full Like, it shows everything in full totality. totality. totality. >> Even if it's not good. >> Even if it's not good. >> Even if it's not good. >> Even if it's not good, yeah. >> Even if it's not good, yeah. >> Even if it's not good, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> like going to the doctor when you don't >> like going to the doctor when you don't >> like going to the doctor when you don't want to or something, right? Like, I want to or something, right? Like, I want to or something, right? Like, I don't want the doctor to ex- like What? don't want the doctor to ex- like What? don't want the doctor to ex- like What? To whatever. Like, to press on my wound To whatever. Like, to press on my wound To whatever. Like, to press on my wound or give me a shot or something, but in or give me a shot or something, but in or give me a shot or something, but in the long run, that's what's best for me. the long run, that's what's best for me. the long run, that's what's best for me. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> That's fun I don't know if this makes >> That's fun I don't know if this makes >> That's fun I don't know if this makes sense or not, but reminds me of like in sense or not, but reminds me of like in sense or not, but reminds me of like in the food scene, uh this is probably a the food scene, uh this is probably a the food scene, uh this is probably a dozen a couple dozens of years ago is dozen a couple dozens of years ago is dozen a couple dozens of years ago is when there was like a big when there was like a big when there was like a big >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >> an heightened like exposure of what's >> an heightened like exposure of what's >> an heightened like exposure of what's happening in the kitchen. And so, people happening in the kitchen. And so, people happening in the kitchen. And so, people started putting windows and setting up started putting windows and setting up started putting windows and setting up their restaurants to say that kitchen their restaurants to say that kitchen their restaurants to say that kitchen was just like was just like was just like available for people to see so that they available for people to see so that they available for people to see so that they can very clearly be like, "Here's what can very clearly be like, "Here's what can very clearly be like, "Here's what we're doing." You know, if you will say we're doing." You know, if you will say we're doing." You know, if you will say it's like you don't want to see like how it's like you don't want to see like how it's like you don't want to see like how the sausage is made or like how people the sausage is made or like how people the sausage is made or like how people are cooking stuff like that.

are cooking stuff like that. are cooking stuff like that. Essentially, they're like, "No, we will Essentially, they're like, "No, we will Essentially, they're like, "No, we will show you so that you will want to eat it show you so that you will want to eat it show you so that you will want to eat it more." That's just reminding me of that. more." That's just reminding me of that. more." That's just reminding me of that. >> Oh, that's interesting, yeah. >> Oh, that's interesting, yeah. >> Oh, that's interesting, yeah. >> It was super interesting. And you don't >> It was super interesting. And you don't >> It was super interesting. And you don't always want You don't always want to always want You don't always want to always want You don't always want to know, but there is I think that's part know, but there is I think that's part know, but there is I think that's part of it is like look of it is like look of it is like look God is glorified when dark things come God is glorified when dark things come God is glorified when dark things come to light. And so, even though it might to light. And so, even though it might to light. And so, even though it might be uncomfortable to bring the dark be uncomfortable to bring the dark be uncomfortable to bring the dark things to light, I think that there's an things to light, I think that there's an things to light, I think that there's an internal part of us that wants to be in internal part of us that wants to be in internal part of us that wants to be in the light the light the light >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> even though it might be hard. >> even though it might be hard. >> even though it might be hard. >> Mhm. Yep. >> Mhm. Yep. >> Mhm. Yep. >> Yeah, I was thinking about the thing >> Yeah, I was thinking about the thing >> Yeah, I was thinking about the thing about the window. Like, our favorite about the window. Like, our favorite about the window. Like, our favorite pizza place to go has that. Giant pizza place to go has that. Giant pizza place to go has that. Giant >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> It happened to be called Dewey's. >> It happened to be called Dewey's. >> It happened to be called Dewey's. >> It's called Dewey's. >> It's called Dewey's. >> It's called Dewey's. >> My That was my first job >> My That was my first job >> My That was my first job as a cook. Come on. Dewey's. Come on. as a cook. Come on. Dewey's. Come on. as a cook. Come on. Dewey's. Come on. >> could watch you. you >> could watch you. you >> could watch you. you >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Were you flipping the crust up? Were you >> Were you flipping the crust up? Were you >> Were you flipping the crust up? Were you doing the same thing? doing the same thing? doing the same thing? >> Uh I only got one shift to actually do >> Uh I only got one shift to actually do >> Uh I only got one shift to actually do that, that, that, but I do know how to do it. but I do know how to do it. but I do know how to do it. >> I was going to say my kids love them >> I was going to say my kids love them >> I was going to say my kids love them watching doing that, but it's kind of watching doing that, but it's kind of watching doing that, but it's kind of me. me. me. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Like the world, how do they do that? >> Like the world, how do they do that? >> Like the world, how do they do that? >> Uh anyway, that was a tangent to say um >> Uh anyway, that was a tangent to say um >> Uh anyway, that was a tangent to say um that I think trust is built through that I think trust is built through that I think trust is built through transparency, which is why we have the transparency, which is why we have the transparency, which is why we have the window, right? Like I can trust that the window, right? Like I can trust that the window, right? Like I can trust that the kitchen is taking care of me and they're kitchen is taking care of me and they're kitchen is taking care of me and they're not like using dirty hands or whatever.

not like using dirty hands or whatever. not like using dirty hands or whatever. And And And >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> light light brings the transparency, >> light light brings the transparency, >> light light brings the transparency, right? Even if we're not ready for it. right? Even if we're not ready for it. right? Even if we're not ready for it. If we're going to build trust with God, If we're going to build trust with God, If we're going to build trust with God, he's going to shine his light on us and he's going to shine his light on us and he's going to shine his light on us and he's going to expose some things that he's going to expose some things that he's going to expose some things that maybe we're not proud of. It's going to maybe we're not proud of. It's going to maybe we're not proud of. It's going to lead to a better place. lead to a better place. lead to a better place. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Can anyone think of a time that's >> Can anyone think of a time that's >> Can anyone think of a time that's happened in your life? Because I don't happened in your life? Because I don't happened in your life? Because I don't want to just talk about it. I want some want to just talk about it. I want some want to just talk about it. I want some real I want some [laughter] stories. real I want some [laughter] stories. real I want some [laughter] stories. >> Ew. >> Ew. >> Ew. No. No. No. >> Deep in. Let's go. >> I think recently actually for me >> I think recently actually for me I think one thing that I I think one thing that I I think one thing that I I felt exposed and or God is like trying I felt exposed and or God is like trying I felt exposed and or God is like trying to expose is the way that I talk about to expose is the way that I talk about to expose is the way that I talk about other people and how judgmental I am. other people and how judgmental I am. other people and how judgmental I am. And I And I And I I don't know. I just feel like that's I don't know. I just feel like that's I don't know. I just feel like that's something that has come up recently. I something that has come up recently. I something that has come up recently. I was just talking with a friend about a was just talking with a friend about a was just talking with a friend about a situation and I said the person's just situation and I said the person's just situation and I said the person's just so hard for me to talk to.

so hard for me to talk to. so hard for me to talk to. And my friend said, "Do they know that?" And my friend said, "Do they know that?" And my friend said, "Do they know that?" And I was like And I was like And I was like No. No. No. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> They don't know that because it's easier >> They don't know that because it's easier >> They don't know that because it's easier to just TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT. to just TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT. to just TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> YEAH. >> YEAH. >> YEAH. >> ABOUT IT, OBVIOUSLY. But I fall into >> ABOUT IT, OBVIOUSLY. But I fall into >> ABOUT IT, OBVIOUSLY. But I fall into that trap so easily and can just be I that trap so easily and can just be I that trap so easily and can just be I can just be really judgmental and I can can just be really judgmental and I can can just be really judgmental and I can especially be judgmental when I'm not especially be judgmental when I'm not especially be judgmental when I'm not talking to the person about it because talking to the person about it because talking to the person about it because that's so easy for me. And that's just that's so easy for me. And that's just that's so easy for me. And that's just so That's just so yucky. And I don't so That's just so yucky. And I don't so That's just so yucky. And I don't want to bring that up to the person. want to bring that up to the person. want to bring that up to the person. Like that's hard and I don't want to I Like that's hard and I don't want to I Like that's hard and I don't want to I don't want to tell people about that. don't want to tell people about that. don't want to tell people about that. That's That's That's That's yucky. [laughter] But That's yucky. [laughter] But That's yucky. [laughter] But Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> That's a great example. Thank you. >> That's a great example. Thank you. >> That's a great example. Thank you. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Thanks for sharing that. >> Thanks for sharing that. >> Thanks for sharing that. So, trust with each other and trust with So, trust with each other and trust with So, trust with each other and trust with God is built by being transparent. God is built by being transparent. God is built by being transparent. Here's the good news. You don't have to Here's the good news. You don't have to Here's the good news. You don't have to wear a mask with God. You don't have to wear a mask with God. You don't have to wear a mask with God. You don't have to act like you don't think that way. You act like you don't think that way. You act like you don't think that way. You don't have to act like you don't have don't have to act like you don't have don't have to act like you don't have those habits or that those habits or that those habits or that that your life is perfect cuz he he that your life is perfect cuz he he that your life is perfect cuz he he he already knows, right? So, be honest he already knows, right? So, be honest he already knows, right? So, be honest with him. Bring something into the with him. Bring something into the with him. Bring something into the light. Maybe talk to God about it for light. Maybe talk to God about it for light. Maybe talk to God about it for the first time if you haven't. [music] the first time if you haven't. [music] the first time if you haven't. [music] That will build trust with him. That That will build trust with him. That That will build trust with him. That will take your life to a new place.

will take your life to a new place. will take your life to a new place. We'll see you next time.