Hey y’all!
Last weekend, my squad and I got the opportunity to hike on of Guatemala’s volcanoes, Acatenango. After talking to people who had done it in the past, I was quite hesitant to take on the challenge, hearing that it was the most physically challenging thing they’ve done in their life. So, to go or not to go?
Well, I asked God. And let me tell you, He got a little sassy with me: “You really don’t think you can rely on my strength to get you through? Why wouldn’t you take this chance of a lifetime to dwell with me and gaze upon my creation?” Ouch.
So what did I do?
I hiked the 6-7 hours up that freaking volcano. It’s safe to say, the friends I talked to were right, and I can easily say it was 100% the most challenging thing my body has ever done.
The whole day, I thought my body was going to shut down. All I could think of was “I can’t do this, I’m so tired, my legs are burning, my knees hurt, my lungs can’t get enough air, and I know I should eat but I might not keep it down if I do.” And everytime I thought those thoughts, the Lord countered it.
“Rely on my strength, not your own.”
“You can do this. I know you can.”
“I’m still proud of you even if you’re not as fast as everyone else. I’m with you.”
What else am I supposed to say to that except, “Okay God, you’re right, you speak only truth.” He loves me so much nothing I do could ever make Him not proud of me. He brought me to the end of my flesh and my desire to quit and stepped in with truth. How kind is that? Like, come on!
However, I did not hike the 1-2 hours the next morning to summit. I got all geared up, ready to go, and as I started to leave the campsite, I knew my body needed to rest. So, I went back to the campsite to write this blog. I felt like a failure. How could I hike 6-7 hours up a volcano if I’m not even going to summit the extra 1-2 hours?
“I’m still proud of you, my daughter.”
Yeah, but I quit. How could I let myself do that?
“I’m still proud of you, my daughter.”
Yeah, but I feel like crying. I gave up. I’m supposed to push myself past my limits and rely on you, Lord.
“And you did push yourself past your limits the whole way to the campsite. Remember those sweet moments we had, just me and you on some of those trails? You relied on my voice, my truth, my presence, and my strength to get you there. I’m so proud of you.”
And no matter how much I could’ve argued and tried to prove my unworthiness and how much of a failure I felt like, I knew He was right because He speaks only truth.
Thank y’all so much for reading and staying up to date on my journey! Here are some pictures from the hike, I figured I could share some of God’s BEAUTIFUL creation:)
Yeah…pretty cool, I know.
Love you guys!!!
Quincy
