This past week has stretched me. This week was physically exhausting and I never thought that me being physically stretched would lead to being spiritually stretched.
All week we shovelled and moved around dirt as we worked on levelling land for a house. We sweat and got blisters and sore muscles but despite it all we kept going. We sang along to music, laughed with each other, kept encouraging one another, and at the end of the week we were proud of what we accomplished.
On the weekend I had the incredible opportunity to hike Volcano Acatenango, the 3rd most difficult volcano hike in Guatemala. We climbed up a steep, winding dirt trail for 8 hours on Saturday and spent the night in a tent on the side of the volcano. It was freezing cold sleeping above the clouds, but it allowed us to stare at the stars and watch the neighbouring volcano erupt as we cuddled by the fire.
We got up at 4 am Sunday morning and climbed even higher to watch the sunrise. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen and it was such a great reminder of God’s creation. I was filled with so much peace and thankfulness in that moment as the sun peeked over the horizon.
As we made our way back down the volcano I couldn’t believe what I’d done!
I had been physically exhausted from the work we’d done throughout the week and I had just climbed to the top of a volcano! There is absolutely no way I could’ve done that through my own strength.
The whole hike up the volcano I kept thinking to myself, “Why am I doing this?” I was already so tired and no one was forcing me up the volcano. There were many times when I thought that I wasn’t going to be able to take one more step. The hike forced me to rely on God’s strength and lean into His promises.
I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. If I have faith as small as a mustard seed I can move mountains.
I was in constant communication with God, praying for strength and perseverance and for Him to go before me and level the mountains in front of me. He answered! I know I couldn’t have done it without His help.
Being physically exhausted forced me to give God more room, for me to rely on Him and not myself. He guided my steps and brought me on the journey up the volcano and He surrounded me with His glorious creation through it all.
I know He can and will lead me through many more journeys. I only have to be willing to give Him room and not try to depend on my own strength.
