Hang Son Doong

2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

What is Hang Son Doong?

Hang Son Doong is the world's largest cave, located in Quang Binh province, Vietnam. It is found by a local man named Ho Khanh in 1991 and was recently discovered in 2009 by British cavers, led by Howard Limbert. The name "Son Doong" cave means "mountain river cave", It was by river water eroding away the limestone underneath the mountain Where the limestone was weak, the ceiling collapsed creating huge skylights.

It is no ordinary hole in the ground. It is a doline, an underground cave or cavern that has broken through to the surface. Water is the agent which, over the centuries, has eroded and undermined the surface substrate progressively until it collapsed, bringing light where there once was only darkness. Apparently, this cave is at least two and a half miles in length -- the biggest discovered so far. It is fascinating! One room is eight hundred feet high and capable of containing a half-mile block of forty-storey buildings!

There is a picture of an opening of the cave where there is a massive hole enabling light to shine down on the huge cavity below. Over the years, the floor under the opening has filled up with a jungle of greenery and life.

When you see the pictures, you see the contrast between the area in barren darkness and the area open to the sunshine, full of growth and life.

Isaiah 9:2 - The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. (ESV)

The Bible consistently uses light as a metaphor for the kingdom of God. Before Jesus saved us, we walked in the darkness of our sin. Then the light of Jesus' salvation broke through from above.

Colossians 1:13-14 - He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (ESV)

The influence of God's light should be obvious to those outside of the kingdom, through the abundant life that flourishes within us. The efficacy of the Holy Spirit in those of us who are children of God should be evident. If there is no "light" in us, then something is wrong. As believers, His light is in us!

Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)

As the followers of Jesus, we live under an open heaven where His light shines down on us and through us to those who are perishing and those whom we are called to serve! Is not that fact even more exciting than the marvel of Hang Son Doong?

Dear Lord, forgive us our sins -- we want to be Your lights. May the joy of our worship and praise wash away the darkness so Your love shines through us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.