It was community like I’d never experienced before, and it was beautiful how effortlessly it happened.
Outside of the World Race, I'd never witnessed this. Even in church. Strange part was, most of the folks weren’t even believers and followers of Christ, but somehow, they were living out something similar to what we see in Acts 2.
(One of many family/community dinners we held.)
“42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Acts 2:42-47 (esv)
People were sharing food, caring for one another, helping each other carry things when they were injured, living and loving on one another like the Church is suppose to. Not to mention, I’m not sure how many physical healings that we saw!
It was honestly as if the “Spirit of Entitlement” and “Spirit of Individualism” didn’t exist or have any hold on the group of Peregrinos. I wish I could explain it better, but it’s one of those things you just have to experience for yourself.
Fast forward again.
(Making one of our final approaches to Compostela!)
The day had finally arrived. We were just on the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela, the finish line for our trip.
We arose early and set out to find the “Holy City” as some of the peregrinos would call it.
We did our normal, stopping for breakfast and lunch, and then we prepared ourselves for the moment we’d all been walking and waiting for the last 26 days.
As we approached the city, my emotions started to run wild and I wondered what it would be like to reach that city.
I spent some time walking with a few friends I’d made along the way, and then decided I’d listen to some worship music as we made the final approach into the city.
God was wrecking me, in a good way.
(A photo from the movie, "The Way.")
(You need to check this movie out!)
If you’ve seen the movie, “The Way”, you know that upon arrival when you go to acquire your “Compostela” or “Official Camino Finish Document”, they ask before handing it to you, “What was your purpose for hiking the Camino?”
As I walked and listened to the sounds of worship, I thought about that question.
“Why did I do this walk?”
“For me, for others, for the team, to prove I was capable, to meet people, for Kingdom Journeys?” There were so many reasons, but I wasn’t sure which one I had came for. Maybe it was all of them?
Then as I prayed, God gave me a word, and in that moment, it all made sense.
“I am all He says I am AND I’m here to tell others the same.”
Wow. It hit me like a ton of bricks.
That was what God had taught me while on this journey. I was capable, loved, worthy and everything that God said that I am, but that wasn’t all.
God had taught me what true discipleship was and what it meant to love others with the love of Christ. He had showed me how to be a fisher of men.
(L-R: Teo, Candi, Myself, and Becente. Some of my friends from Spain.)
I started to think about all the lives I had crossed paths with, and all the faces and names of people I’d come to love. It was all happening so fast, and as it came, we inched closer and closer to the city.
To Be Continued…
