Last Sunday, after the terrific feast that was prepared for us, Seth wanted us to experience the joy of some of the most beautiful waterfalls that were nearby, so he took us to a place called Aqua Azul, which means Blue Waters. It was amazing and breathtaking. We were able to spend some of the day swimming and splashing around in the water like we were four years old again- just enjoying His splendor and creation.
After a little while, most of us noticed a young man that climbed over the rocks along a perilous path that finally brought him to the top of a waterfall area, overlooking a aquamarine colored pool where we were at. He took a running leap and sailed through the air and past the edge of the rocks and into the pool, sinking with the force of gravity and then resurfacing with an enormous smile. So, of course some of the guys decided that they wanted to try it.
I watched as they climbed their way over hazardous rocks for that one experience of jumping into the pool. A few more people decided to go and I did as well. When I slipped into the water the current was extremely strong and almost said no to the whole thing, but my sense of adventure would not let me back down. I called for some help from the other who had done it before and they formed a little line to help the girls who were going and smaller guys like me. J Anyways, there were many times when I almost lost my balance and got swept away, but I was able to grab onto someone stable along the way and more forward. The funny thing was that if you kept moving forward quickly, the current wasn’t able to catch you- it was when you stopped and tried to get a better footing that you lost what you already had.
Finally, we made it to the relatively safe part of the waterfall that called for a leap of faith into the pool below. We took turns running and jumping off into the icy water below as others cheered us on. I tell this story because it spoke to me of our own journey.
Our troubles try to pull us below, take us down, cause us to lose our footing, but together we make progress, we persevere and are ultimately triumphant. Community is so important on this journey. My team will have to carry me sometimes and I will have to carry others when I need to, but if we keep moving forward we will be able to leap forward into His Will and know that it was worth the climb, worth the fear, worth the journey.
On another level, I think that the waterfall could also symbolize God. Powerful and terrifying in His strength, He calls to a path that challenges us and makes us rely on Him and others to reach the goal. But then at the end, there is the leap into His greatness, His rest. Praise be to God for the waterfalls and the journey there!
Along with that, there were two other Racers who got banged up a little bit when they were swept into a different pool. They are fine, but we had rally together and pray for them, and encourage them. Another girl went into anaphylactic shock later on in the week and we all gathered quickly around her to pray and lay hands on her for healing.
It worked and she is doing great this week. On this journey we are not safe. But I have never wanted to be. But what about your journey? Are you sitting safe in the world and hating it? Everyone wants some safety in their life, but I know so many who gave up the adventure of life to settle for the temporary security of habit. Not everyone is like that thank God, but some are and it troubles me. Call me out of that if you see it in me.
