The streets became very narrow as we approached the cathedral in Santiago. My heart was overjoyed that we’d made it.
As we walked closer, I started to see familiar faces of peregrinos that we’d walked along side of at different times during our journey.
I seen old friends that I hadn’t seen since the first couple days.
There were hugs, kisses, and just an overall excitement in the air. It was really emotional for everybody in some way or another.
Then it happened.
Damon & myself. He was one of our mentors on the hike. Legit dude!
We rounded the corner, and there was the square, the cathedral, and hundreds of people who were there to celebrate the great arrival! It was like nothing I’d witnessed before.
Immediately we started to rejoice and praise God for getting us to the end!
I soon became distracted when I seen some friends who I became very close to on the hike, and so we began to celebrate together for this great achievement. It was incredible, almost as if time were standing still.
The cathedral in Santiago de Compostela!
What happened next was one of the greatest moments of the whole trip.
As I’m taking some pictures and chatting with some fellow peregrinos, Justin, one of my teammates, came up behind me and put his hand on my shoulder.
“Dusty! Hurry, there’s somebody that wants to see you!” He said.
As I turned, there he was…
Artur was standing with our team.
God had answered my prayer and brought him back to us!
So what did I do? I quickly ran over to Artur and tackled him! Haha. It was great!
For the next little bit, we spent sharing stories, hanging out, and telling tall tales about how the rest of our trip had gone. It was incredible and couldn’t have made the finish of our journey any better!
Artur & myself! What an incredible guy!
Honestly I’m not sure entirely how to explain all that was happening and what I was feeling during this time, but the best way I know to explain it was, it was like watching the final episode of “LOST.”
If you’ve seen it, you know what I mean.
For 6 seasons it has been building up to this one moment when everybody is reunited in the end.
"LOST"
Last episode of "LOST"
That’s how I was feeling deep down. It was beautifully overwhelming.
The more I thought about the whole experience, the more I was moved. It hit me hard. Really hard.
As I thought about it more, I thought to myself, “This has to be what Heaven will be like in a lot of ways.”
You see, the Camino is much like a small version of this life.
Let me explain.
During your hike on the Camino you go through a lot of different phases. You are challenged physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. You’re stretched in so many ways.
Life is a journey that we’re all on. A lot of folks don’t know where they’re headed, but as believers and followers of Christ, we know that Heaven is our “end destination” if you will.
Can you imagine? Heaven will be even more beautiful than this!
On the Camino, everybody is trying to get to Santiago de Compostela. Almost like a small version of Heaven for many people.
The difference is, we know why we’re headed there and Who walks with us, and for non-believers, that isn’t the case. Many of them know there’s “something more”, but don’t realize that that “something” has a name, and His name is Jesus.
As you journey along the Camino, and also through life, some people come and some people go. Some longer than others, but our goal as believers, should be to love on, and pour into each person that we meet, regardless of the length of time. We are called to minister to them and make an impact on their lives.
That’s what we were called to do on the Camino. Make disciples, love on people, and encourage them along “The Way.”
Just like life, we had a few folks for a few hours, and others for a few days or weeks. Nonetheless, you pour out everything you can for them, while you can. You do your best to leave an imprint on their heart, and make them see, “there’s more to this ‘Jesus guy’ than I thought.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
