Think about that question for a sec. If you have grown up anywhere near a Christian in your lifetime, you’ve probably heard it. I remember even having the popular “WWJD” bracelet growing up as a kid. However, I never remember taking the time to actually sit down and think about what Jesus would do in the situation I was is in. So again…think about it for a sec. Consider a situation in your life, good or bad, and ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?”
I’ll start by saying that I think this question becomes more defined the more we actually step out to be like Jesus. I know that has been my experience on the race. I didn’t actually realize it until later in my race when a friend and teammate said aloud, “Jesus would do this…” We will get to that a little later.
I also want to say that neither this blog nor the question, “What would Jesus do?” is meant to be asked in a condescending manner. The Holy Spirit may very well convict you while reading or pondering this question, and to that I say to God be all the glory. However, it is not meant to be a question that is meant to come across as condescending. Often times in my life this question was asked in a tone that would remind you of the way 85 year old grumpy Mrs. Jenkins would talk to you when you walked through her yard to get to the woods behind her house. That is not my intention. So with that, I pray that you would be able to discern between conviction and condescension. One is from the Holy Spirit and one is from the enemy.
So lets set the scene (because I promise you it sounds like it is right out of a movie). My team and another team were in Shell, Ecuador serving with an American missionary family, the Zunigas. They’ve been living there for about two years just on the edge of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Their mission is simple. Serve the people of Ecuador while spreading the love and gospel of Christ.
One of the places they served was about a 20-minute ride from their house. Half of the ride took place on pavement. The other half on dirt roads just entering the jungle. Once we reached where we parked we climbed some stairs to the top of 50 to 60 foot tower. At the top of the tower was a cable car. It was pretty sturdy seeing that it was supported my two steel cables on either side of its square frame. This cable car allowed us to cross the Pastaza River, which at this point in the river stretched about 85 to 95 yards across to the other side. Oh and the cable car was powered by the rear axle of an 80s-era Toyota pick up truck that sat on blocks and had basically enough to power this cable car. This cable car allowed us to reach the village of Santa Rosa.
Our first time out to Santa Rosa was perfect. After arriving to the tower we honked our horn and waved our hands to get someone’s attention to sit in the truck and power us across. We made it across safe and sound, and it was such a cool experience. Then we hiked for about 10 minutes to the house of a woman named Betty. Betty was having some medical issues and needed to seek attention. However, she had no car and, therefore, no way of making it into town. Thankfully, we were able to help her that day and get her to a missionary hospital. Afterwards we bought her lunch, picked up her medicine, and returned her to her home. We let her know that we would come back next week to take her back for another check-up.
So the week passes and we head out to the tower. Chris Zuniga, our contact, was not able to make it because he was helping another Ecuadorian in need. So a few others and myself went with his ministry partner, Andy Dvarga. In the days leading up to this there had been consistent rain. This made the Pastaza a mighty rushing river. (For you river rafters out there, it was a solid class 4 rapid below where we needed to cross).
When we arrive to the tower the floodgates start to open up and it begins a torrential downpour. On top of that, there is nobody on the other side to power the pickup truck. Don’t worry the locals were prepared for moments like this. About 5 feet away from the larger, sturdier, square frame with two steel cables on either side cable car there was a much smaller rinky dink cable car that is attached by one cable. It is manually powered. The larger cable car is about 8 feet by 8 feet. This cable car is about 3 feet by 4 feet.
So here is the scene. Three people elect to stay back and intercede due to the fact that this cable car simply wouldn’t hold all of us. Andy, Natalie, Peyton, and myself climb into this rinky dink cable car during this torrential downpour, 50 feet above a raging river, in order to pull ourselves 90 yards across. In this moment, I am so PUMPED for the adventure we are about to be a part of. Rain is pouring, the river is raging, the rinky dink cable car is swaying, and I am so stoked. I mean come on this is right off a Bear Grylls TV show (although, he probably would’ve jumped out of a helicopter into the river and swam across, but that is beside the point).
Then my teammate Natalie says, “Jesus would do this for Betty.” Wow! What!? I hadn’t even thought about that. I was so pumped to cross this river like a wild adventure man and then my mind contemplates that question. I experienced the love of God in such a new way in that moment. A question I had heard my whole life was now being displayed in a totally outrageous unthinkable way.
As a young child wearing that bracelet, I would have never thought that one of the answers to that question would put me in this situation. I was so blown away by the love of Jesus Christ in that moment that I wanted to jump. Then I remembered here I was.
After having this amazing realization, Andy releases the cable car and we are able to use gravity to get about 60% across the river. However, the rest was uphill from there. Let me remind you that the rain is still pouring on us and the river is still raging 50 feet below us. I’m still so stoked about this adventure, and the adrenaline was probable helping us pull that cable. Andy and I pulled and pulled as Peyton and Natalie sat on their knees to help stabilize the cable car. After making it across, my arms were worn out. No worries because I wouldn’t need them for this next part.
After exiting the cable car we had to hike up to where the other cable car normally stops because the trail to the village was on the other side. This require us take a rather dangerous trail. Even if it weren’t raining and the river weren’t raging, this would be a dangerous hike. The trail was about as wide as your two feet put together. On the left you have a very close cliff face that you basically have to hug because on your left is a 15 to 20 foot drop into that raging river I’ve been talking about.
I also forgot to mention something. Andy has two paralyzed feet. He was in a motorcycle accident years back, but he certainly doesn’t let that stop him. He normally has two walking sticks in hand to help him walk. However, that wasn’t much of an option here given the trail.
Natalie, Peyton, and I make it across to the next part of the trail. At that moment I look back to check on Andy. He is conquering this thing like a champ. Then I think of the question again. “What would Jesus do?” If Jesus had paralyzed feet, would He let that stop Him from checking on Betty?
The next part of the hike was no joke either. It required that we hike up hill on wet clay like soil at about a 40% incline. For someone with two properly working feet this hike was no joke. In fact, I think I fell twice. Then there was Andy just chugging along in order to make it to Betty.
I hope this blog opens your mind up to this question. When you find yourself in any situation, ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” I promise it will open your mind, humble you, help you to experience His love in new ways, and I’m sure so much more. And, I surely don’t know all the answers to that question, but I know one thing is for sure…
Jesus wouldn’t think twice about hopping into a swaying rinky dink cable car in the pouring rain to cross 90 yards across a raging then hike an extremely dangerous trail in order to reach Betty and share His love with her.
