Before arriving in India, my team Akal Esh traveled from Draganesti Olt to Bucharest, Romania for a mini debrief with the rest of our squad. We spent the Halloween weekend in the cobble stone old town of Bucharest surrounded by all the Dracula paraphernalia. What seemed like would be a short layover before flying out to our next continent turned into one of the biggest moments of race for me. The second night of our gatherings, one of my squad leaders, Megan, slipped a sticky note in my pocket on my way out. The note was an invitation to a meeting with the team leaders of the squad. I couldn’t believe what I was being called into. Were they really serious about picking me, me… me… into leadership? My team mates at the time would tell you that they called it, but I on the other hand felt a huge lump in my throat. All the responsibilities started flooding my head, all six girls, not girls .. adults.. and their needs, all the hosts and travel plans.. oh gosh. Ok, God.. you sure I can do this? Absolutely not, I kept telling myself. Not alone.
The entire month of Romania God was teaching me about mountains and the significance they represent, mainly being the meeting place with God. Micah 4 talks about climbing the Mountain of the Lord, the highest of all mountains, majestic and attractable that draws all people to come and explore. I began to see that our upward climb to the peak is the journey of experiencing God’s presence. The presence that instructs, guides, teaches and keeps us walking the path to the greater things God calls us too. If you have ever climbed a hill or mountain, you know that it’s not easy, but with each step higher you have a greater perspective of where you came from and you have a greater view of what God is leading you in. You begin the see the hardships are worth the view. I began to see this entire race as a mountain climb race. It’s going to get harder and harder but if I’m willing to allow God to lead, there is going to be quite a spectacular view at the top. Before accepting the team leader position, I came across the verse in Psalm 61,
” … from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy “
It was completely fitting for these lyrics to then pop into my head …
I lean not on my own understanding,
My life is in the hands of the maker of heaven.
I Give it all to you God,
Trusting that you’ll make something beautiful out of me
I will climb this mountain
With my hands wide open
Here we go. God, I release this opportunity to you. Lead me, use me, speak through me. I am going to be the most needy person but I climb this mountain with my hands open and I am completely trusting you.
The night of team changes and after the names were drawn we were invited to sit and pray over this next stage of the race and our new team. Of course mountains kept coming up. I started searching mountaineering terminologies. The word Arête stood out so I began researching more of it’s meaning other than just the ridge peak line of mountains. Arête describes the character of one standing fully dignified, living out one’s fullest potential or fulfillment of purpose and function. I began praying over my new team that our months of the race together we would be a team that would spur one another on to live boldly, to live out our fullest potential and to stand victorious alongside one another through whatever may come.
India Part 2 coming soon!
