Thailand is known for its many beautiful nature sites, including waterfalls. On Sunday, after a fantastic sermon at a bilingual Thai/English church, most of our group went to Buatong Waterfall.
Also known as “sticky waterfall”
This waterfall has about three different main levels where it plateaus slightly before continuing on its downward plunge to the pool below. There are areas where the water separates around dry land where moss covered rocks and trees peek up between the streams. The water is clear. The rocks are pale. It streams, bubbles, and surges.
My foot trembles as it steps out onto one wet rock at the top of the falls.
I’m terrified of heights. I’m terrified of rock climbing. I’m terrified of water.
I know I should fall. I know I should slip. I know I should get caught up in the current and have it pull my body all the way down in a fury of wet, tangled arms and legs.
I close my eyes, swallow my fears, and trust in the knowledge that the type of rocks that make up this specific waterfall don’t become slippery as the water continually beats down on them. That’s why this is called the “sticky” waterfall, because you can still grip the rocks. I transfer my weight to the foot on the rock, and, true to its reputation, I hold fast.
I begin to make my way down the waterfall; it’s not too steep after all. My brain tells me that every step I make shouldn’t be possible. But the more I continue down the falls, the more confidence I have in these rocks to support me, and the climb begins to feel more normal.
At the bottom, we play in the water, hang out, pray over the baptisms being held there, and just enjoy life in the water. I begin to make my way back up the waterfall. Against the flow of current. This time I’m specifically seeking out which paths look more challenging to make things interesting. With minor help from teammates, I make it all the way back up the waterfall with no problems. I conquered the waterfall. I conquered my fears. It was probably one of the most exciting things I’ve done in my life.
This waterfall is a lot like our lives. Sometimes we look at the paths our lives are going down, and think about every reason it can’t work. We could fall. We could slip. We could get caught up in the current of life and plummet to the bottom. But just as this waterfall had the right foundation, if our lives are made up of the right stuff, we can conquer the challenge. If we take that step of faith, we can surmount whatever task in front of us. First with shaky steps, and as we grow to trust the “rocks” that our lives are made of, the walk becomes more natural and we can learn to enjoy the process and see the beauty that surrounds us.
Pictures stolen from squadmates… 🙂
