The sun was hidden behind a cloud. The mountain was cloaked
with fog. Visibility was minimal. The peak was continually a “half an hour” out
of our grasp, despite the hours of progress. With each step, the elevation
increased and temperature decreased. My coat and windbreaker were failing
against the elements. The poncho I was forced to wear was constantly getting
caught and slowing my progress. The rocks were wet and slippery. Mud and water
seeped into my shoes, chilling me to the bone.
Tension was high among us as conditions were less than
desirable.
Yet, climbing the
highest mountain in Ukraine was a blessing straight from God.
Set among a series of rolling hills and mountain peaks and
blanketed with a forest of pine, this mountain spoke to my soul. With an
interlocking system of streams and rivers, each turn brought forth a breathtaking
view of God’s glory. The world around me was a masterpiece, with all of life
intricately painted with precision and grace. Yes, God is my favorite artist.
There was water tumbling here and there over the rocks, the
wind whispering through the pine needles, and birds twittering to and fro. Yes. Nature is my favorite genre of music;
God is my favorite composer.
With each step, I sent a silent request to God, “Please God,
find a way to incorporate this-the mountains, the birds, the trees, the
wilderness-find a way to incorporate this into my future.”
I have no idea what I want to do with my life. Some days I
want to teach. Others days I’m convinced I belong in the fitness industry. Most
times, I desire to run a business and manage those around me. I often dream
about starting a summer camp like the one I attended as a child. I have
aspirations to write a novel. Thoughts of leading rafting tours and adventures
trips are thrown in there occasionally. Maybe I will go to grad school, maybe
not.
But one thing I learned as I climbed this mountain in
Ukraine is that nature and the outdoors will somehow find their place into my
destiny. They will somehow find their way into my future, though I have no idea
how.
