This isn’t Chile, but it could be.
On October 13, 2010, 33 Chilean miners were rescued after being trapped in a collapsed mine for 69 days. They had been huddled together in a confined space, with minimal light, comfort, and sanitation. After an amazing international effort, they were rescued through a slim shaft cut into the rock where they were buried. Members of the rescue team first traveled down into the mine where the miners were trapped, evaluated their condition, and began bringing them up one by one from their subterranean lodgings.
As the miners stepped back into the light, they were required to wear protective sunglasses to enable their eyes to adjust from being in the darkness of the mines. Because they had been underground for so long, their eyes had grown accustomed to the lack of light. The brightness of our everyday existence above ground was too much for their eyes to handle!
“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5).
All of us were once trapped in darkness (Romans 3:23) and only by the intervention of Jesus Christ on our behalf has enabled us to leave that darkness of sin and death and be a part of God’s family (1 John 1:7). Through the cross and empty tomb of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit changes us and brings us from darkness to light (Romans 8:16).
Just like the miners, the light in which we walk may seem at times blinding. Followers of Christ need to grow accustomed to living in the light and not returning to the darkness. At times the adjustment can be difficult, but the truth is that we are no longer in darkness (Colossians 1:13). God Himself is there in His Grace to help us in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16). Does living in the light seem blinding to you today? Take comfort and rest in the truth that God is there leading the way, wherever He may take you.