Even though God has been showing up in big and miraculous ways for Expedition Squad, he is still bringing glory to himself in the little, quiet moments. Luke Thompson recounts a sweet moment spent with the Lord in a bustling cafe in Spain.
Barcelona, Logroño, Nájera, Sto. Domingo de la Calzada, Belorado, S. Juan de Ortega, and finally Burgos. My team and I are traveling a very famous pilgrim’s journey called the Camino; people from all around the world come here for some spiritual awakening. We’ve been walking 10 to 15 miles a day—yes, I WALKED to all of these places. Some days, we did 20 miles, and it was amazing! What is my life? How blessed am I to walk alongside people who are so hungry to serve The Lord?
Now, I learned all kinds of things in Barcelona and all along the Camino, but there is one thing I want to share. A good conversation I had with my Dad—no, not my Dad back in Ohio, my Heavenly Father. It was the third day, and one of my squad leaders asked me if I would like to hear God’s voice. I jumped on that and said yes!
Let me set the scene for you. Jordan (my squad leader) and I are sitting across from one another in a little café somewhere along the Camino. People are drinking wine and eating tapas, and we are getting ready to connect with our Dad as brothers in faith. Jordan starts to teach me this new way to get in touch with Jesus. Jordan tells me to pick a happy place. It takes me a beat, but I get it—Boy Scout camp. The epitome of my boyhood. I describe it to him, telling him of the trail that leads into the campsite and of the shelter and fire pit and picnic table.
He tells me to picture myself there, so I do. What am I wearing? Blue jeans, a blue T-shirt, and some white tennis shoes—wait, I know those shoes. I had them as a kid. Then I realize it, I am a child. Sure enough on my head is my Pokemon hat, on backwards of course. I am standing in between the picnic table and the shelter.
I hear Jordan’s voice, “Now Jesus is there, where is He? What does He look like? What is he doing?” He is sitting at the picnic table in a white robe and blue sash, playing with his hair and wearing a very amused look on his face.
Jesus: Hello!
Me: Hey, Jesus.
Jesus: How are you?
Me: Good I guess, hike this Camino, you know.
Jordan: Ask Him a question.
Me: What do you have for me after my Race?
Jesus: All in due time, my child.
Me: Why am I a child?
Jesus: You are who I created you to be, my child.
Then I realize something else, He is sitting, and I am standing. He is watching me, as if I am performing in some way.
Me: Why are you watching me?
Jesus: Because your walk in me is so fun; I genuinely enjoy watching your journey.
I thank my Heavenly Father. The woods of the Boy Scout camp fades away, and I am once again in Spain, staring at Jordan. I am overcome with peace and warmth.
This journey is crazy, but I will enjoy it and have fun with it. Because that’s what my Father wants for me.
