(written Feb. 24, 2013)
This is going to be one of those “I just hiked a mountain and made a lot of metaphorical connections to my spiritual life” blogs. But this hike really does symbolize, at least in part, where I am right now as we end our month in Peru, so I’m just going to write it and not apologize for the cheesiness. 🙂
Yesterday (Saturday, Feb. 23rd) myself and a few of my squadmates were led on an early morning hike through the desert and up a mountain by one of the Inca Link interns. I could probably count on one hand the number of times I've chosen to get up before the sun rises, but I heard from others who had traveled the same path previously that it was worth it. That was all I knew–that it was worth it. So I sacrificed sleep and at 6am we headed out.
Lesson: Be a person that says yes and makes the sacrifice, even though you may not know the details of what lies ahead. Jesus promises us it's worth it.
As we hiked up the rocks, I thought about one of my best friends from home, Rachel. She loves this stuff. I could just imagine her skipping up these rocks with such joy and ease. While she enjoys the journey, I tend to focus on the end goal–reaching the top. I am in it for the view, while she enjoys the process. I don't like the hard work that it takes to make it to the top, and I wish it away until I reach it. Rachel embraces the difficulty and finds joy in it.
Lesson: I need to learn to enjoy the process and find joy in the place where God has me in the moment. If I rush to the top and only set my eyes there, I will miss out on what He has for me.
Which leads me to pace. This month I've struggled with accepting the pace at which I'm growing, the pace at which my team is growing. I want to control it, to speed it up. I found myself wanting to rush up the mountain to get to the top, but I quickly discovered that was not what was best for me. I may get to the top quickly, but I would be absolutely exhausted and not able to enjoy the view as much. And the view at the top is not the only thing God has for us. If we take the time to stop and look around, there are views along the way He wants to show us. I knew where the top of this mountain was so I could set my pace. But in life we don't know where the top (what God has in store for us) is. Bets are it is a lot higher than we could imagine.
Lesson: Let God set the pace, and be content with that. He knows what we can handle when, and will lead us to the top in triumph, not exhaustion.
Which now brings me to leading/following. Sometimes I would climb the same path that the person in front of me took, and other times I would find my own way.
Lesson: There is more than one way to climb the mountain, and God has set a specific path for each of us to follow. Let Him be the guide, don't follow in someone else's shadow, and you will discover the unique views He has for you along the way.
There is just something about hiking through desert sand that makes you feel more like Jesus. Jesus often escaped up a mountain to find quiet, peace, rest from the people, and I more fully understand that after this hike. After being around 60+ people for an entire month, even the most extroverted person needs a little alone time to recharge. This month I found it almost impossible to be alone, to spend time with God in the quiet. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved living with my entire squad. I loved working with and learning from them, I loved worshiping with them. But sometimes a girl needs a little quiet.
Lesson: I need to seek out the mountain more often. I need to fight for personal rest time and not be passive, waiting for it to happen. Sometimes I need to get away from the noise and people and seek out places to find total peace and rest with God.
There you have it–a little recap of where I am at the end of our time in Peru. I look back and see everything God has taught me this month and am so grateful. Can't wait to see what Bolivia has in store! After a quick debrief and leader's retreat in Lima, we'll be heading to El Alto, Bolivia to work with an adolescent rehab center.
I'll end this post with this song I've had on repeat for days. Take a listen. My favorite line: "I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open." Selah
