The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek
~ Joseph Campbell
Sometime when I was around age 7 or 8, my family hiked the long trail to
Timpanogos Cave. Mom, much wiser than I (as always), carried a sweater for me all the way to the cave entrance. It was a hot summer day, and in my youthful ignorance thought she was crazy to do that. Oh how wrong I was, and how grateful for the sweater once we entered the cool cave environs.
The national park ranger guide gathered everyone well inside the cave interior, shut the door, and told a brief history of the cave's discovery. I remember he had a flashlight, and there was electric lighting in the cave as well. After a few minutes walking deeper into the cave, and wanting to give us the full cave experience, all lights were turned off for what seemed like forever (but was probably only a minute). It was something I had never experienced before... complete and utter darkness. Even holding a hand in front of my face as suggested by the guide, and wiggling my fingers, I could see nothing.
Finally the guide turned on his flashlight and finished the history lesson before turning back on the electrical lighting. Even that seemingly small bit of light from a hand-held flashlight was a most welcome relief from the absolute darkness. That experience with complete physical darkness gave me such an appreciation for light. As I have grown older it is not just physical light, but also mental and spiritual light that I have learned to value and cherish. Freely do I admit that I am afraid to step forward into the darkness, not being able to see what is ahead.
The trouble with you is you want to see the end from the beginning... You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you. (Boyd K. Packer, The Edge of Light)
Right now I am wading through the midst of a life trial that requires confronting a darkness which I can either allow to crush, or to strengthen. But I have with me a flashlight powered by faith and hope in God; love and support of dear friends; and experienced guidance from a counselor. The cave I fear to enter is one I have already passed through, and emerged a
survivor. This time the journey is one of healing from what was, what ensued, moving on to what is meant to be.
