We are in Month 2 in Nicaragua as a whole squad again. I am loving being with everyone. We had our first adventure day here and our amazing host Ron planned a volcano sledding day on Cerro Negro. As we arrived on location to sign-in, I had no clue what to expect after seeing this narrow wooden sled.
I looked up at this massive black volcano and thought, ‘This is going to be amazing’! We strapped on our packs and slid the board on our back. I did not know that this climb would be so steep, windy, and dangerous or that God had an intimate hike in store for me.
I’m still struggling with weak joints and I had a sore ankle from the day before. As we began hiking up the side of the volcano on some large and sketchy rocks, I started to just speak to Papa and ask him to make me strong, firm, and full of endurance. He told me “plant your feet firm in the ground one step at a time”. I started to cry within because I knew He was trying to walk me through something greater than just an adventurous hike.
He wanted to teach me an important lesson.
The rocks were slippery and steep and the weakness of my body all tried to take me down, but I continued to pray to Papa. I got up the side of the mountain and stopped to look at the view around me and was so taken back by the creation around this volcano…it was so beautiful and breathtaking. I looked back and He told me “Don’t look back, keep looking forward one step at a time and continue on.” The wind got stronger and the rocks were steeper to climb. Then a song started playing in my head and I started singing out loud, Our God is an Awesome God. In that moment I knew it was ALL from HIM! Oh Papa…He really does love me So, So, So much. The wind was so strong that I started to fear actually blowing off the narrow edge and falling over with my board.
Instantly, Papa told me “Do not fear I am right here with you”. I told him that I trusted Him and I would not stop and would keep taking steps forward to make it to the top… AND I DID! I persisted on and conquered. I planted my feet firm on the ground, looked forward one step at a time, and trusted my Father would get me to the top.
I will no longer look back and think, “What if”. What if I had listened to Him at 24? What if I obeyed Him and got out of an unhealthy relationship? What if I moved away 4 years ago? None of it matters. The only thing that matters now is what I do now to continue growing on my path towards his Kingdom. My intimacy with my Papa has become so strong and firm just like He showed me on my hike. I will continue to look forward in growing and learning more of Him to fulfill His plan for me. Praise the Lord!!!
