A Narrow Escape
Many prayed, watched and cheered as the Phoenix Capsule travelled almost a half mile deep into the bowels of the earth in Chili to provide escape for the miners trapped for over sixty days. Cheers erupted on the surface as one by one the men emerged from the rescue capsule. Several of the men dropped to their knees in thank God for their deliverance from an almost sure death.
Many prayed, watched and cheered as the Phoenix Capsule travelled almost a half mile deep into the bowels of the earth in Chili to provide escape for the miners trapped for over sixty days. Cheers erupted on the surface as one by one the men emerged from the rescue capsule. Several of the men dropped to their knees in thank God for their deliverance from an almost sure death. Loved ones embraced and many tears were shed.
How strange it would have been should criticism have arisen of how narrow it was to demand this to be their only way of escape from that impossible situation, jeers that it was intolerant of the authorities to demand that the men ride the rescue capsule to deliverance. The way was too narrow, not allowing other means of deliverance. Or how strange would be reports that the miners had become so comfortable in their subterranean home that they would pass up their opportunity enter into the capsule for deliverance.
As I followed the story, I couldn’t help but see so many parallel illustrations of God’s deliverance for you and me from the depths of sin into His presence. The rescue shaft came from above to below; those receiving it did not prepare it, it was a gift, a provision made for them by others; each miner, individually, had to accept their place, to step into the capsule and receive their deliverance.
So often the gospel is considered too narrow, too easy, too intolerant of other ways to God. Or even the consideration of eternal rescue is delayed because of immediate circumstances or distractions.
Jesus words in John 14:6-7 declare that the way is narrow and the way is hard and only a few will find it. Is it a prideful unwillingness to accept the gracious message of deliverance provided by Christ that leaves too many still trapped in their own, unique impossible situation?
Gwynne Johnson
Gwynne Johnson currently serves on the Board of Entrust, Inc., an international education and training mission where she authored the Entrust curriculum, Developing a Discerning Heart. She recently served as Co-Chair of the training project, Christian Women in Partnership, Russia and as Senior Director of Women's Ministry at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. Gwynne has a M.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. She currently lives in Huntsville, Texas with her husband of 58 years, Don. She works part-time in her daughter and granddaughter's bakery "The Best Box Ever," where she gets paid in cookies.
