Walking with God
17 days. That is how many days I have before I will take my first steps on El Camino de Santiago. As I have shared, I have been struggling with my back injury for nearly three weeks and doing all I can to heal before I take my first steps on this pilgrimage. Today, I had the chance to meet with the leader of our group who is a dear friend and a prior Pastor. We talked about walking and drawing closer to God. There is something about not having to worry about anything but waking up, putting one foot in front of the other to get to your next destination and finding food and water along the way. Imagine being able to do that for a day, let alone days. No worry about what someone needs from you, no need to check emails, answer phone calls…just one foot in front of the other. I shared that when I walk, I can turn down the noise. With each step, I start to focus on my breathing. I not only hear the air come in and out of my lungs, I feel its warmth as it escapes my body. The small beads of sweat that begin to form and slowly pulled by gravity become just one of many things reminding me that each step is a step of endurance, perseverance-pushing myself. I begin to notice every bird, every sound. I see how the leaves in the trees turn in the wind creating a symphony of sound. I am reminded of many of God’s words and Psalms seems most fitting, “I lift my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalms 121:1-2, NIV)
Many years ago, I was struggling with a personal issue and I started running. I was a sprinter in high school and had run several races ranging from 5K to ½ marathons. That year, I decided I was going to run 5 marathons. I would wake up, put on my favorite running shoes and running gear and would go run in one of our nearby neighborhoods. Every time I would start, I noticed my laces and if they were too tight or too lose. It would take me a while to get into my normal rhythm where I no longer had to think about each step. Eventually, I would focus on my breathing, hear as each foot hit the ground…left, then right, and left again. I would spend minutes, hours running. All the angst over my personal issue would slowly slip away. The weight of worry would slowly lift off my shoulders. Left, then right, then left.
The same happened for me on our hike in Mt. Kilimanjaro. In the struggle, I found a great peace, a comfort. I would walk amazed at the changing eco systems surrounding me. One day I would be surrounded by greenery and rainforest only to be followed by desert and ice at the summit. In one week, I would walk through and explore so much that God created. Again, focusing on placing one foot in front of the other. I would wake up early each day, eat and start the hike that would take me to our next camping site. Left, then right. No other thought than simply putting one foot in front of the other to get to the place where I could lay my head to rest only to begin again the next day.
How Blessed are we to have the opportunity to spend intentional time exploring and seeing all the God has created around us. To see, really see each leaf, hear each bird, smell each flower in the wind. I know the upcoming journey has a lot of unknowns, especially with my back injury, but today, I decided I am going to be open to wherever God leads me. Maybe I end up taking a bus a time or two-maybe I make my 17 mile day-who knows. I know I am going to be present in the moment and enjoy the blessing of being able to be there, in that moment, surrounded by all the God created.
Today I pray that you find your own pilgrimage. Find your quiet time, whether it be walking or running-find a way to connect with God in nature. Pause and smell the air, hear the birds, and open your eyes to all that surrounds you.
I pray my words spoke to you, please share with a friend. Don’t miss a blog, subscribe to my web page.
