This trip has been a crazy one. I’ve done and seen things that have been simply amazing. Had my heart broken in ways, and then had a fire ignited in me in others.
But no matter how much of a good thing is going on, you can still be burnt out. And that’s where I was heading into our 3rd week in Nepal. We were headed into the mountains in Tibet. Right near the Tibetan border, or basically China. We worked with a wonderful pastor and his family, and the kids that live in the orphanage they run. We got to see the body in different ways as we went to house churches for fellowship and worship.
It was a great week. Not to mention the beauty that surrounded us the whole time. Mountains, rivers, snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in the distance.
Coming into that week I was looking for rest. For peace. For a break. I had become so burnt out on everything World Race. Community, feelings, rules, ideas, everything. I needed to get away. I needed to get into nature.
On the first real day we were there it was the Nepali new year. Apparently it’s the year 2071 here. Don’t ask me how. So to celebrate we were to climb a mountain and have a picnic at the top. It sounded right up my alley, so I was pretty excited.
It was allegedly only supposed to take 2 hours up, and 1 hour down. It took us almost 10 hours from start to finish. The Nepalese overestimate us.
At the top is an old fort that Nepal used to fight against the Tibetans. They would fire cannons right into Tibet, which you could plainly see from the vantage point. It was one of the best views I’ve ever seen. Just looking at those snow capped mountains. Feeling the amazing breeze. Looking down at all that I had just hiked up. It was one of those amazing experiences you get to have a handful of times in your life.
After taking tons of photos I found a rock over looking the valley far below and just started talking to God.
I asked Him to be my strength. I asked Him to fill me with energy. To take the wheel. I said that I was ready to go in a stronger direction. That I wanted to take off. To get up and go. That I was ready for whatever is next. That I trust Him in whatever He says that it is. That He will reveal it to me and I will accept it as fast as I can.
Basically, God and I agreed that it was go time. That there wasn’t anything that could stop me from living for what He had for me.
I worshipped. I prayed. I laughed. He gave me peace. He showed me the beauty of His creation. Creation absolutely beyond measure.
As we hiked back down (basically running, actually. We called it “Mountain Goating.” I fell pretty hardcore once), I felt a renewed energy, patience, and excitement.
I told God I was ready for what’s next. Later in the week He showed me how that was going to work…
Seth
This is Part 1 of a three part series. Read the other 2 posts here:
Part 2: River
Part 3: Calling
