“Another volcano?!?” I thought to myself with nervousness and excitement.
Allison quickly followed with “You can hike it, or you can ride a donkey to the top.”
That was a relief, but that relief only lasted a brief second.
I spent the rest of the night and the next morning pondering what I should do. Santa Ana Volcano was very difficult, but it was worth the hike. We were told that Pacaya Volcano was only 1.5-hour hike—I can hike for 1.5 hours! But should I? Should I risk holding up the rest of the squad if the hike is too difficult? But if I do ride the donkey, would that make me a failure since I don’t even attempt the hike?!
I prayed about what I should do. I didn’t want to do anything for the wrong reason. And I knew my thoughts were in the wrong place. I shouldn’t be ashamed for wanting to take a donkey to the top.
But this thought still held: I want to ride a donkey, but I also want to conquer this mountain!! I couldn’t make up my mind.
We arrived at the base of the mountain. We jumped out of the van and were immediately surrounded by people wanting to sell a horse-ride to the top. “I’ve never been on a horse ride. It sounds like fun.” But at the same time, I was thinking “No, I want to conquer this mountain on my own!”
I had just a few minutes to decide. I prayed about what I should do. After a few moments, I had more peace about the horse ride, so I paid a young man and he assisted me up on the back of Princess.
We started up the mountain. Feelings of shame filled my head. “What am I doing? Why am I letting a horse carry me to the top? That’s cheating! You are too heavy—you are going to break that animal!”
But God was good! He quickly silenced those thoughts of the enemy with a quick reminder: when Abraham walked to the top of the mountain to sacrifice his son, God provided a ram to sacrifice instead of his son. GOD PROVIDED!
Last month, I conquered Santa Ana Volcano by physically walking to the top; it was challenging, but I made it! This volcano is different battle that God wants to fight for me. He provided a horse that would carry me to the top. The Lord whispered, “Just enjoy the ride.” So I did!
I had a smile on my face the entire ride to the top! If I would have walked, I’m sure it would have been a different story! But I chose to relax and let the battle be fought for me, and it was wonderful!
We arrived near the top and hiked a short distance along a steep hill that led us to the valley at the base of the peak. The valley was filled with lava rock.
This location used to be a giant hole that was 100 Kilometers deep; due to an eruption in 2014, this hole now filled in. We walked around and found areas of rock that let off extreme heat from what lies below; we had the opportunity to roast marshmallows in a hole of the lava rock!
The valley was absolutely beautiful! The mountainsides were already blooming with trees, flowers and grass! It was a living testimony of how the Lord brings beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3).
We spent an hour at the top, then started our hike down the mountain! It was an amazing day—a day in which I benefited from a battle that the Lord won for me!!!
Her ways are are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. Prov 3:17
