The "God Button"

Recently I ran into a social media post of a woman who had fallen asleep on the subway and woke up at the end of the line. She didn’t know where it had taken her, the train was empty, and she was alone. 

She was panicked while filming the experience. She didn’t know how far from home she was or how she was going to get out. There was not a single soul in sight to help her. 

She clearly felt trapped and scared with the doors sealed tight but the car lights on which only re-enforced the silence and emptiness of her surroundings. She was deep underground, lost in the bowels of New York, wherever that train had gone to rest for the night.

As she walked around the subway car she noticed a small button by one of the doors and pushed it. On the other end was an operator who answered. She explained what had happened and the person on the other end said not to worry, that he’d get her out of there, and within seconds the train had fired up and was taking her out of the place, back out of the depths of the city and to her destination. 

As she recorded this happening she said, “thank you God”, as the train started moving again. The relief she felt having pushed that button and to hear that voice come through the speaker with help, and then movement.

I was instantly struck with the thought of how illustrative the experience was of our lives, how God answers us, how He sends help, how He’s always on the other end in our time of need.

Haven’t we all been in experiences or seasons where we look up and our surroundings have changed and we ask, “how did I end up here and how do I get out”? 

We can feel we’ve reached the end of our rope, the end of the line, and we feel stuck and powerless to change the situation. She could not force that train to move or yell for help or call someone to rescue her on her phone, being so far underground meant she had no service, just like that train.

And yet, God.

Much like she found that button and she pushed it and asked if someone was there and a voice came on the line and said, “I’ve got you, I’ll get you out of there”, so does God. 

That little button stands out so clearly as an example of when we pray, when we pause and stop trying to find our own solutions, and we hit the “God button” and we say, “Help me, I’m stuck. Help me, I’m lost. Help me, I don’t know where I am or how to get out”, and He answers “Don’t worry, I got you”, and then gets the train moving in the right direction to bring us to safety and back into the light. 

All we had to do was ask; push that "button" and call on Him for help.

As I wrote this I opened up my Bible and asked God to lead me to a verse that correspond to this message and this is where I was taken:

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again, 

from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. 

You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. 

(Psalm 71: 20-21)

From the depths of the earth… from the deep dark tunnels we can inadvertently find ourselves in because we’ve been asleep, not guarding ourselves, not paying attention, abandoned by man that was nearby that could have extended a helping hand and yet, He is the one who rescues us in our time of need, when we are alone and feel helpless.

Sometimes we are led into these dark places, those silent still moments and seasons, to be reminded that all we need to do is push that “God button” for help. 

Are you in a moment or season of your life where you feel stuck in a dark tunnel with no way out? No way to turn yourself around? No one around who can bring you out of the depths?

God is always on the other line waiting for us to call so He can help us and get us moving in the right direction, leading our metaphorical trains back on the right track, to bring us out of the depths of the earth - our pain, our circumstances - to our destination guided by His hand.

Yet I am poor and needy, may the Lord think of me. 

You are my help and my deliverer, O my God, do not delay. 

(Psalm 40:17)

God’s word says very clearly to turn to Him in all things, to knock and He will answer, to seek and you will find Him, to cry out and He will always answer our call.

Daily Prayer:

Mighty and powerful God, how I need you.

You lift the helpless out of the mire and desire to bring us good things; into high places.

I am lost and need your direction.

I feel scared and need hope.

I’ve called to myself for too long and know I can only call on you to deliver me.

I have hit a dead-end with no one who can save me but you.

I put my trust in you and ask you get me on track; guide me where you need me to go.

For when I am with you, I am never lost.

You will always find me because you always know where I am.

It is I who has needed to find you because I let you out of my sight.

Thank you for your endless love for me.

Thank you for the gentle ways you care and direct me.

Thank you for always holding me in your mighty hand, protecting me.

Thank you for your patience as you wait for me to call to you and turn my attention to you.

May I always remember to praise you and set you as my first stop, not last.

You are mighty to save and your ways are wondrous.

You work all things for my good even when I am in a place of darkness.

You will always bring me into the light.

You are my hope, my joy, and my deliverer.

There is none like you.

May your name be praised forever and ever. 

May I be a testament to your goodness for all my days.