A few of weeks ago, our squad finished walking part of a well-known pilgrimage called the Camino de Santiago (which translates to The Way of St. James). Over the course of 10 days, we walked a total of 130 miles across Spain. The first time I heard about this particular trail was last year, when my mentor (from my World Race) led a group of alumni on a two week excursion along “The Way.” As I read her posts about encounters with people on the trail, I resolved that at some point I, myself, would walk the Camino as well. Little did I know at that time, the trip I’m on now would include a 10 day trek on this very same “Camino” that I dreamt about…God is neat, and this experience was one that I will cherish for years to come. So I’d love to share some of my personal observations, takeaways, and reflections from my time on the trail:
Walking the Camino was an opportunity for personal reflection, team building (I’m currently with a small team of young women on our squad), and developing relationships with others along the hike. As we walked, I recorded 75 new friends that I met along “The Way.” We encountered people from all over the world: South Korea, the USA, Germany, Spain, Philippines, Honduras, Nicaragua, Japan, England, Brazil, South Africa, Canada, Belgium, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, El Salvador, Austria, Australia, Czech Republic, Wales, Venezuela, Argentina, Ireland, and the list goes on. This list alone contains 25 nationalities that we met in a matter of 10 days (and this is by no means everyone represented from around the world). As we trekked, I began to see that the journey along the Camino is 100% a metaphor for life. To paint a picture of the trail…there were long stretches of colorful flower-filled fields, lush green pastures, forest, vineyards (though not in season)…a plethora of striking sights to see. We walked through quaint villages and saw cool Spanish architecture. And then, in between these charming stretches there were miles of cement pavement, highway, and industrial areas. While much of the trail was beautiful, there were quite a few spots with less than ideal terrain, and at times relatively unimpressive landscapes. But it was all part of the journey. The good, the bad, the ugly. And when I first encountered those ugly sections, quite frankly… I was a tad bit irritated. As if they shouldn’t be there. But while thinking this, I realized in a moment of reflection (since there are plenty of opportunities to ponder life while you’re walking 7-8 hours a day), I understood that without the rough parts, I wouldn’t appreciate the beauty nearly as much. It would become mundane…ordinary. Having diversity was good. And similar to life, an assortment of experiences is also good and necessary. It’s growth producing. It’s stretching.
As our team hiked, we were all challenged to fight for perspective…to seek the good in the journey (even the less desirable stretches). This trail was challenging – not always necessarily in a fitness way, but in other ways. More than being physically tired, our feet hurt…badly. And with aching feet, came a lot of blisters…sometimes blisters within blisters. Then knee and ankle pain kicked in, and our backpacks felt heavier every day. We started the trail at a quick pace, growing pretty tired early on. But as we went, we found that good ole’ saying, “slow and steady” to be remarkably true. In going a little slower, we were able to go farther. It was kind of humorous that much of the time, you saw the young people struggling and the “old folks” pluggin’ along because they chose steadiness over speediness. In observing their approach, we learned to enjoy the journey instead of rushing through to the next stop.
On the trail we also realized that we are stronger and more able than we know… yet at the same time, we are weaker than we think in our human strength. I was reminded that my abilities are finite, and that the Lord’s strength is magnified in my weaknesses. The Lord was constantly humbling me throughout this experience. Along the journey there was an uncomfortable, but healthy tension in my heart that God was using to refine me and teach me His ways.
In between periods of solitude, breaks consisting of a surplus of chocolate croissants and coffee, or walking together with teammates, we enjoyed rich conversations with new friends on the trail. We heard various reasons why people (referred to as “peregrinos” or pilgrims) decided to walk the Camino: some for the adventure, some to discover what they believe spiritually, some because they were inspired by the movie called “The Way,” some because they needed a break from work or life in general, etc. Some didn’t know exactly why they were walking. I often asked, “What has been your favorite aspect of the Camino thus far?” Nearly everyone answered, “It’s the people.” For such a large and diverse people group, the camaraderie, generosity, and hospitality amongst the pilgrims on this trail is incredible. Collectively… nearly everyone I encountered possessed a deep desire to embrace community and engage in deeper, more raw conversation. There’s a yearning for connection, and a kindness that was moving. In long stretches of walking, or just hanging out at the hostels (termed Albergues) after hiking, we had many opportunities to ask about/listen to peoples’ stories. And in talking, we shared our stories as well. On the Camino, strangers became friends. We shared meals together, got to encourage (and be encouraged by) other pilgrims, had opportunities to tactfully challenge them about their thoughts/beliefs, to pray with them, to speak about Christ, and to meet people where they were. Not everything that took place was peachy, but it truly was a special time overall. I wish I could share more about it, but there are so many stories and details I can’t even begin to compile them all into writing.
So in closing…as I pondered the parallels of the Camino and life, I couldn’t help but think about the fact that at some point… everyone reaches the final destination. For this particular trail, it is usually a city called Santiago. And such is life. We come to the end of our journey, and then what? The thought of it often brings a sense of uncertainty and discomfort. But as uncomfortable as it is thinking about an end, it’s inevitable. It’s reality. Whew, heavy stuff…but the good news is that there is another way. A better way. One that is eternal. One in which death is swallowed up and has lost its sting (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He is the ultimate Way. The only Way. The Way that brings fullness and fulfillment in life. His Way is hard. It is the road less traveled by, and it is usually contrary to the way of the world…but it is the way to abounding joy, freedom, and contentment. I’m reminded of Ecclesiastes 3, which speaks about seasons of life. In verse 11 it says that, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” My prayer is that the hundreds of thousands that pass through the Camino take notice and contemplate that eternal desire that He has placed in our hearts, and seek the “why” behind it…and in doing so come to see and understand the true Way. The way that was made possible by the immeasurable, incorruptible grace and love of Jesus Christ.
Thanks for reading! Much love,
Em
^^The reality of my Camino experience (cool outfit, wrong shoes, and bread/sandwiches for every meal) haha
