This past Saturday my team and I joined our ministry host, Pastor David, on an epic hike to the top of a peak overlooking Palacaguina and the surrounding area. We were dropped off at the base of it by someone in the mayor’s office, and made the trek up from there. A trek it was.
The hike up was pretty intense, especially near the top of the peak where we were practically scaling rocks. We were hot and sweaty; some of us cranky, but the view from the top was beautiful. As soon as we got to the top DeAnna and I even shared a melted snickers (100% worth it) and it helped to appreciate where we were even more. There are many times during the race where I think “where am I?” or “So this is my life now” laughing at the thought that I never saw myself being here, but thank God for every moment of this journey. After eating lunch at the top and praying over the town, the real adventure began…going down.
I’ve always been really good at climbing up things, but going down is an entirely different story. Our host suggested we go down the other side of the peak thinking it would be easier for us all, except there was no path…we would have to make our own. Although him and his son helped in deciding where to go, we all went down at an angle slipping and sliding. As we slipped on the dirt/gravel/leaves we were grabbing tree branches and hoping the trees 1. Weren’t filled with 1.5 inch long thorns 2. Not covered in ants or 3. Can actually support our weight.
It took us quite a while to get down but we finally came upon a path that would take us all the way back into the city center.
As we were going down the peak and off the path, I realized our hike is a metaphor for my walk and other’s walks with God.
I was fortunate to grow up in the Christian church and a Christian family. I grew up with the values and morals and pretty much could tell right from wrong.
Except that doesn’t mean I didn’t rebel. I was a middle child…it was in my nature.
I’ve walked with God for as long as I can remember, but there are quite a few times I have created a path of my own. The path I’ve made for myself has never been easy, and I’ve found myself in rocky situations with fear, anxiety, and uncertainty…much like going down the side of the peak this past Saturday.
Walking the path with God isn’t always easy, being a Christian and following that faith isn’t easy, but it’s peaceful and comforting. No matter how far off the path you might find yourself, God is always there with his arms wide open waiting for us. He loves us regardless, and wants to be there in our walk.
And that’s the beauty of this life.
Our host this month, David
The view from the top
This definitely happened a couple of times…fortunately for others it was caught on camera
We climbed all the way up there and then climbed down and walked back into town
