Getting back from Training Camp a little over a week ago, was an adjustment–an adjustment that I am still trying to get used to. Looking over my notes & journal entries from camp, there is a story I have to share with you.
So, in the middle of our time at camp the next event we had to take part in was called The Surrender Walk; or better called, The Surrender Climb. At the base, we were instructed to find an item which represented something we had to surrender over to God. didn’t want a stupid leaf or a tiny pebble or a huge log—I wanted something unique. After looking around for a little bit, I saw a small green plant. The plant was a twiggy little thing with a main section going up & then a split, going in two different directions. That was it. But I didn’t want it. I looked around a bit longer, but then decided, “Ok, I’ll get that stupid green twig.”
Thus, my twig & I took off for the Walk. The first part of the Walk was along a path for about 10 minutes. This was a cake walk! The second part was going up a modest valley. Although modest, it was a bit steep. Out of breath, I reached the top where my friend was. She asked me, “Are you ready to give it up.” Without hesitation I answered, “It’s not that easy.” We then prayed & this is the moment where I questioned, “How many of these sub-sections of the hike, would I have to do?”
Therefore, I set out for the third part of the climb. Here is where I could really feel the burden I was carrying. Grabbing tree branches every step of the way, pulling my way up the side of the steep hill, I was crying & out of breath. My mind was so focused on getting to the top of the hill, but my soul was breaking down. And then this thought came, “Why are you carrying this burden for someone that would never carry it for you.”…that stuck. Even though it was truth & it hurt…it stuck.
Finally, I reached the top & there was another friend waiting. I was told this was the end. There was a cross & I could spend as much time as I needed there, but when I surrendered my item at the cross, I had to go with my new partner, since it would be a little dangerous to go down by ourselves. This was not good news to me. I knew I was not anywhere near giving it up my item & my poor partner would have to stay here with me all night long! Trying to put that aside, I went over to the cross & sat behind it.
After being there for awhile, praying and reading scripture, God moved. My eyes were closed but I could hear someone crying. The kind of crying God hears when we are alone in our rooms & it just broke my heart. She was literally at the foot of the cross, on the ground, broken. Suddenly, I didn’t care anymore about my burden! I just wanted to be rid of it & go help her. Her brokenness helped me to be able to give up the baggage I have been carrying for so long.
So, I stood up & looked at the cross for a bit. I then tossed my green twig on the ground & the hike down was a lot easier.
