As we drove agonizingly close to the edge of a cliff to continue through the mountain on Death Road (World’s Most Dangerous Road- read Part 1 here), I breathe in relief when we finally made it over the narrow pass. But then, the unthinkable happened.
A truck drove up, larger than the bus. Our bus driver started backing up and I braced myself in disbelief. No, we cannot be going back! Backwards, through the mud, inches from the edge of the cliff, the rushing water and certain death?! I cannot do this!
The road continued on and we remained safely on it. I breathed deep sighs of relief, reminded of how close we are to death all the time and we don’t always know it. We don’t see the cliff right next to us. We don’t realize how short our days can be. We cannot see over the edge of the cliff or through the mist that covers the mountains. We don’t know what’s around that corner.
But God does. We can trust Him. Joshua 23:8 says: “Rather, cling tightly to the Lord your God as you have done until now.” This is something I was reminded of on Death Road. It is something that has been a part of my journey, to cling to God, to hold fast to Him when it’s really hard or scary.
As we drove on, we passed waterfalls streaming out of the mountains and I was reminded that God is the one who refreshes us. He redeems our past. He uses what might have been meant to hurt us for good, even those things we cannot understand.
As scary as those moments were, the bus ride was very meaningful to me because it was a promise fulfilled and a promise to come, all at once. The picture of the open hills was something I’d only dreamt of seeing before and suddenly it was here before my eyes in Bolivia. It was God saying to my heart, yes I see your dreams and I hear your heart for more. I will deliver on what I have promised. Here is a taste of the beauty I have to show you as you live for me and embrace what I have for you.
It was God showing me that there is more for me. That I can dance freely with joy in His presence. That I can taste and see that the Lord is good.
I am learning to dream with God and starting to learn more about what living out my purpose in God will look like in real life. Follow me on this journey as I learn this and stay tuned for more of what this journey continues to look like, as God started to show me all the freedom I had envisioned and how I started walking it out, more fully than ever before.
Romans 5:2- The Message- this is the verse God put on my heart through this beautiful and harrowing ride. “And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand – out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.”
Life can be beautiful and scary at the same time, but we need to hang onto God, who saves us and helps us and always will be there to rescue us, cliffs or not.
What is the cliff you are standing at the edge of? Share what you’d like prayer for in the comments below. Share a passage that has helped you in those scary, riding the edge of a cliff times.
~~Fundraising update- I am about $2700 away from being fully funded on this amazing, terrifying at times, yet beautiful adventure. Help me stay on this adventure and join me on this journey as you walk out your own adventures. If you feed led to help, please give today by clicking on the Orange Donate Tab at the top of the page or call Adventures in Missions today (Toll-Free: 800-881-2461) to give in the way most convenient to you. I need your help to stay on this harrowing, beautiful road! Thank you!~~
