On The Edge of Glory
We stared up. Our jaws dropped looking up at the looming mound of ash before us. Our eyes wide and curious with excitement! The occasional thought of, “What the hey-howdy-hey have I gotten myself into,” crossed my mind a few times as we gathered around one another at the base of the mountain.
I looked up at the black ash wall, little orange dots began making their way down the black volcanic front. Some at a constant speed, others looking like they were hardly moving. I quickly put together that those little orange dots were PEOPLE. That was going to be us. Us…..People…That look like ants from where I was currently standing….HOLY CRAP! That was a long ride down! BRING IT ON!
Australian/British-Tour-Guide,Tom, proceeded:
(insert accent as needed)
“Righteeeoo Mates, you are about to embark on an epic adventure! We have clocked boarders up to 70KPH! Now, it’s up to you folks how fast you want to go!It could take you 20 seconds or 10 minutes. Up to you! But when are you going to be able to do this again? Think about that! Right then? Let’s Go!”
Cerro Negro is a cinder cone volcano. Usually cinder cone volcanos erupt 1 or 2 times and are inactive after that. Cerro Negro has erupted 23 TIMES during its existence….That is unheard of with these types of volcanos. Ash Boarding is a ridiculously amazing sport that involves riding down Cerro Negro as fast or as slow as you desire. Not only are you throwing your body down 40 degrees to a final 45 degree plumet; But, you also get to wear sexy orange prison suits!
As you can see….This was an opportunity my squad and I were NOT going to miss out on!
We started up the mountain, carrying our own boards. As we walked through the volcanic rock, I was in my element. I was being physically challenged. I knew I was tough enough to make this trek. It was a mental game and I was going to win against the odds! I was so focused on getting to the top, and making sure I continued breathing in the thick hot air, that I almost bumped into the person in front of me. The group had stopped at a half way point and stopped for a rest
I placed my board down on the ground
…..I looked up……
(Insert your “WOW” Here)
I was so busy climbing this mountain “by my own strength,” I almost missed the presence of something far greater. I looked up and around me stood mountains upon mountains, vast lands of green majesty. It just seemed right to not say a word. I chuckled to myself as I realized (once again) God had taken my breath away.
Amongst the rubble and ashes of volcanic remains grew miles and miles of untouched creation. It made me think of what a blessing it would be to seek out the Lord’s presence in everything. Even in the things I can “handle on my own.” I know I may be able to physically take care of certain things, but what if I sought out the Lord’s voice even in those moments? What if I sought him out in the Joyful moments as well as the difficult!
“Rejoice in the Lord Always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is Near. Do not be anxious about anything, but IN EVERY SITUATION, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus”
Phillippians 4: 4-7
What a cool thing to know that I do not need to divide the Lord in “things I can do by myself” and “things that require the Lords help.” This was another way for me to “go deeper” with my Father in heaven. To get Him out of the religious box I have put Him in for a long time and place Him right next to me. In the Present.
As we continued up the last stretch of the mountain to reach the peak, I dropped to the back of the line. I watched my 54 brothers and sister in Christ head up the mountain before me. Laughing, singing, pushing to the top, helping one another, and taking pictures. Haha 🙂 I kept imagining God being at the beginning of creation and seeing what He had created. The trees, the rivers, the man and woman. Him nodding in satisfaction saying, “Dang….This is Good.”
I walked along a narrow stretch of path on the ridge of Cerro Negro. To my left was vibrant green hills and majestic blue skies. To my right was black ash and barren land. In all of it was God’s greatness, but it made me think of the daily choices we have, once again, to choose the Lord. To seek His presence. To look into the death or the life of a situation and know that God is in it all. To give it all up toHim and free fall into His Presence. That there is more than just looking down at thepath that is in front of us. There is a vast array of greatness that the Lord has planned…If we choose to look for it.
“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us all exalt His name together. I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered in shame”
Psalm 34: 1-5
X
