In the Cave
In this episode of “What Amanda Watches on TV,” we’re talking about caves. On an episode of “Planet Earth” we see the formation of stalactites and stalagmites to create awe-inspiring, naturally-formed architecture. Watch the clip here (from 21:30 to 24:10) .
Water containing Calcite drips down slowly to create both these formations from the top down and bottom up. The results are spectacular. I couldn’t help but to think of how the dripping down and being dripped down upon apply to our lives.
Stalactites:
“I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; It is melted [by anguish] within me. ”
Stalactites are formed through years and years (hundreds to thousands) of minerals being deposited drop by drop. They form from the top of the cave down, looking much like icicles. Stalactites can only be formed through the dripping process - a pouring out of substances. Like David described in Psalm 22, we, too, sometimes feel as weak as a puddle, like we are melting from within. We have felt at times like we were not able to withstand even the smallest bit of force. Our bodies feel just as ‘poured out” as the tears we cry during these hardships.
But something else happens during those times. As our strength seemingly drains out of us, it is leaving something behind and creating something new. Every drop that comes out of us leaves a bit of substance that is forming something stronger, something that has an anchor, and something magnificent. This substance is what our trials bring out of us - perseverance, wisdom, faith. The stalactites in our lives compound, while the rest - the things that can no longer sustain us such as pride, self-indulgences, and materialistic parts - fall off. It is, in its essence, the draining of ourselves, which leaves only those things that God has given to us or those He can continue to use.
Stalagmites:
“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing. ”
Stalagmites are formed when the same water that forms stalactites falls at a faster pace to the floor of the cave. Again, the water leaves trace amounts of calcite, which over time, form these stalagmites that grow from the ground up. If it were any other type of water, it would erode the rocks below. But because of the Calcite, this water does the exact opposite. Similar to stalactites, I think we have all endured times when it felt like life was just annoyingly dripping on us, or probably dumping on us. It feels like the drops won’t stop, and we don’t understand how this could be good or productive for us in any way.
But God always has a purpose for those experiences, as relentlessly unfavorable as they may seem. As stated perfectly in James 1, they serve the purpose of increasing our endurance, patience, maturity, peace and faith. It is a beautification process for the soul. It’s painful, but it’s necessary to bring us to where we need to be in our relationship with and understanding of God. It is literally a building process. And the end result is “perfect and completely developed.”
Both stalagmites and stalactites take hundreds to thousands of years, to become the towering structures we see in caves around the world. To us, the processes also seem much longer than they need to be. But the longer the water drips, the stronger the formations become. And if we give it enough time, the stalagmites and stalactites will join together and become a massive column, which is even stronger. It’s also important to know that yes, the water, which seems infinite when we’re standing under it, does stop. And with the water ceasing, the solid structures remain standing strong in all of their meticulously created beauty.