It was still dark.
A nearly full moon hung knowingly in the star-filled sky above.
The gravel crunched beneath my feet, my pack warming my shoulders as I travelled down the trail alone.
Why was I hurrying?
Kate was still behind me at the hostel. We’d agreed to walk the morning hours by ourselves, opting to meet up in the next town.
I could feel it rising…
The “knowing” that I was walking into sacred space.
The Camino de Santiago is a major Christian pilgrimage route in Spain extending into France and Portugal. It held great importance during the Middle Ages, and nowadays many ancient churches, castles ruins, and other historical sites can be seen along the route. Many people still visit the pathways that weave through endless country-side, hamlets, villages, and major cities – led by the scallop (shell) symbol associated with the Camino.
We spent 11 days between Pamplona and Burgos. Approximately 240km of walking.
Everyone has a different reason for making the Camino journey – a holiday, a spiritual experience, history….
My reason?
To learn from God how to transition into the life He had promised me.
It was an hour before the sky began to fill with light that morning.
He let me talk…letting me get all my mess out.
I could feel Him listening as I poured out everything that was on my heart and mind.
Knowing that I needed to empty myself out before I’d really be able to hear Him.
We laughed, cried, whined…there are no limits…
…just being fully me in front of Him.
Back in Jordan, He had me write down every promise He’d made during this year, putting it in a place I could easily reference it and He reminded me of that now.
It can be so easy to forget what He’s said, or what He’s done when life gets hard…
Or when I don’t get enough sleep, or am hungry…bored…lonely…or feel misunderstood.
Sheesh. 😉
Returning to that list has made all the difference – especially when my thoughts turn towards the future. This has become an important practice to me.
Finally with my head clear…
The golden light flitting across the vineyards and olive groves rising and falling beside me –
He began speaking about faithfulness.
“When you doubt, when you can’t remember, when you don’t know how to move forward…remember My promises. Reset your mind on the last thing you heard Me say. This is faithfulness. Remember our history. It will inform our future. Every anxiety and fear can be broken by trusting and knowing Me.”
His words steady me. Inspire me. Encourage me.
They make me brave.
Psalm 32:8-9 in the Passion Translation says: “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult, don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before. Don’t make me tug you and pull you along. Just come with me!”
This is a promise!
By the time I reached Los Arcos that morning I was laughing and singing out loud.
For me – these secret-place moments are what it’s all about!
i am so excited for the future.
My keys for remaining faithful:
1) Write down the promises He makes, and what He says in a place I can easily see it.
2) Review them often.
3) Write down when (and how) He fulfills those promises.
4) Celebrate and be thankful towards Him – even in the waiting.
It’s not the first one who finishes the race that wins – it’s the one who remains faithful no matter what comes.
Stay the course.
