A couple of years ago while backpacking Thailand with a very close and adventurous friend of mine, God taught us both a truth that continues to be a strong voice in my head. While we were experiencing some beautiful memories on the island of Koh Samui we came to a segment of our trip which required us to take our adventurous spirits to a new level.
We were told that there was a gorgeous waterfall not far from where we were staying...all we had to do was walk or take a taxi a few miles up the road. Not a bad way to spend a gorgeous Thai afternoon. We decided to walk,we had a plan, but really just wanted to bend toward whatever the adventure before us held......after an hour the sun was so hot we would stop at every 7eleven on the way just for a little air conditioning.
We met people who were working doing many different things, some had shops, some were cooking on the side of the road, some were tending children, some were fishing, some were selling flowers and herbs, some were transporting...all sorts of things by motorcycle:) We noticed they were all more than happy to continue to point us in the right direction, graciously trying to understand our English and nodding encouragingly to the few words we spoke in Thai.
We were eager to reach these stunning falls and were not about to let missing them be an option.
We were loving the journey, the experience was incredible.... however slowly the few miles we were walking turned into a lot more and we soon realized we were in trouble. As we continued to hike the jungle area that kept claiming were were almost there, we felt concern for the daylight that was starting to dwindle. The free roaming elephants and the sound of water drew us farther in amidst the exhaustion and concern.....we could not believe the beauty and overwhelming sense of awe at God's presence and creation and felt more than blessed to be in the middle of everything.
We could hear rustling in the grass along the road beside us. At first it was one side, but then it was also the other. Given the fact we met only two people during this two hour period I remember us both start to realize that even though we were surrounded by the most incredible place, we were also in a very serious situation....you see there were no signs until we had almost arrived at the falls that the place we were hiking was a cobra and alligator park. NICE.
We were so excited and focused on our goal, the falls..(which we did reach and they were lovely as was the view from the mountainside)....we didn't allow for anything to stop us. Even endangerment to us...whether we knew it or not.
I often think back on that day as an inspiration and even challenge in my life. Just think if I was as fixated on Christ as we were on reaching the falls, not allowing for anything to get in the way of Him allowing me to know Him more.......not bitterness about past offences, not anger, not idolatry....or focusing on me rather than on Him....not trying to "be good and godly on my own. In my own strength." Asking Him to immerse myself in His blood, in His forgiveness, in His power. Seeing His presence alive and growing in me.....instead of getting caught up in things that only hinder me from Himself..which make my life and others miserable and prone to making tragic life choices.
One of my pastors says, ''eat the meat, spit out the bones." In other words.....Ask God to immerse you in His presence and His Word, taking the good and nourshing truth of God and leaving the crap.... it wont be easy and given our imperfection, it wont be perfect, but it will be the most incredible adventure of your life. His adventure in you*
Mary
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