The El Camino. I mean DANG talk about a challenge. I can officially say this has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I have been challenged emotionally, mentally, & hecka physically. Now I know why people come all the way to Spain from all over the world to hike this trail. You really do learn knew things about yourself & about the Lord. While attempting to process everything the Lord taught me I ended up narrowing it down to 6 big lessons I learned on the Camino & I would love to share them with you!
I learned that people are searching & longing for something to fill them. Many of the people we came in contact with on the Camino were running from their past, convinced that there is something more to this life. & getting to tell them that there, in fact, WAS something more, something that will fill them to the brim until they are overflowing with joy, was the biggest honor. They asked questions & listened as we got to pour into them the truth that has set us free from all of our own seeking &, trust me, getting to share with them the love that Christ has for them & witnessing real life change in people definitely made the blisters all worth it.
I’ve learned a whole new meaning to the word humility. I have honestly never realized how prideful I was until now. Until my feet stopped working because I was too ashamed to say I need help or rest. Pride truly does come before the fall I tell ya & voicing that you really don’t think you can hike those last several miles is super humbling. But thankfully I have teammates walking right alongside me who will pick me up, let me cry on their shoulder, & never hold my shortcomings against me.
I learned a lot about relationships. While God longs for His creation to worship Him He also takes such joy in us fellowshipping with one another. I’ve learned that no matter where you come from or why you’re here, people just want to be seen & loved. On the Camino I was blessed with the opportunity of meeting the most amazing people from all different countries & backgrounds. They have their own pasts & reasons for hiking, but the sweetest times on the trail were when we put aside our differences, broke baguettes together, & talked about deep life stuff. On night 5 I shared a meal with 15 travelers from 6 different countries. That night I think God gave me a tiny little glimpse of what heaven is going to look like & let me tell you it was the most beautiful sight.
I learned a new way of loving from volunteer hostesses of the Albergues we stayed in. They worked tirelessly in serving the pilgrims. They would carry our bags, bandage our disgusting feet, & make us the most delicious dinner we had ever had all the while investing in the stories we would tell about our lives. I saw Jesus in their selfless service & I long to imitate their example in loving strangers.
I learned how crazy creative God is. Looking at the Spanish mountains I stood in awe of Him. Then a little wild flower on the side of the road caught my eye & I stood in awe of that too. I mean the detail of everything, all of the colors & smells I was being surrounded with, it all overwhelmed me. I was completely amazed at His creation that tears formed in my eyes & then I heard Him say “you’re a part of this. You’re also my creation.” & I don’t think I’d ever felt more loved than in that moment. Because He’s right, we are His creation & He admires us way more than we could ever possibly admire anything here on Earth.
I learned that I make worshipping the Lord too hard. Worshipping could look like relishing & praising God for every sweet blackberry you get to eat off the trail or every café con leche you drink from the safe haven that is the café on mile 6. Thanking Him for the challenge of climbing that next hill when all you want to do is sit down. Discussing favorite bible stories over a glass of wine with an Italian man named Pablo. Praising Him every morning I wake up with no bed bug bites. Having real, honest, and sometimes hard conversations with your teammates that lead to pointing each other closer to Jesus. Sharing a meal around a big table with people from all over the world whom you consider friends now. & Just sitting/walking with Him – not always reading His word or talking to Him – but just resting in His presence amidst His creation. One thing I heard loud & clear from Him was “Stop rushing. Start resting.” I’m trying to put that into practice more.
Rereading my last blog post actually makes me giggle a little bit cause sweet Landry had no idea what was about to hit her. I mean the blisters & foot cramps are REAL. But so is the life change that happens to you & the people you’re surrounded by & that makes it all worth it. Yes, the Camino is hard & painful & it would probably take a lot of convincing for me to ever hike it again (& if I did then I would definitely prepare more), but, man, I’m so thankful for the time I spent on the trail, the work God did, & the people He introduced me to. Thank you also for the many prayers you poured over me & my team! They were most definitely felt!! Now onto Meijas Spain where we will get a couple of much needed rest days & then we’re headed to Morocco!
