Monday, April 18, 2011

The Journey of Faith: A Mt. Pinatubo Experience

I was a girl scout during my elementary and high school years and hiking was one of the highlights when you joined scouting. After so many years, my friends and I thought of taking a hike at Mt. Pinatubo. I was excited because it's going to be a once in a lifetime experience. When I heard about the 2-hour trek, I was discouraged and wanted to go home but we still pushed through.

During the hike, God told me to relate this experience to my life. And, I learned a lot! The hike was so spectacular that I feel overwhelmed by the His presence. God has been teaching me about faith since my Siargao trip and was emphasized during the Mt. Pinatubo trip.

Here are some of the lessons I leaned during this trip:
1. The Choice - we were given an option whether to take the Old Way or the Sky Way. Passing the Old Way means we have to take a hike for 2 hours to reach the crater lake while the Sky Way, it's only about an hour. We chose the Old Way so that we could do some pictorials and enjoy the trek. I praise God that we took the Old Way because it is safer than the Sky Way because the latter has a very steep way that we could easily slide down to the cliff. And if we chose to take that trek, we won't be able to see much of the sceneries God has made. God reminded me of Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." God gave us a choice where we would go. To follow Him through the narrow way where He will be the one to guide us or of others through the wide way that would lead to destruction. For many, the narrow way may not be the  better choice because it's scary and there's a long way to go but they didn't see the whole picture. So they opted to go to the wide way even if they know that it would harm them. For me, I choose the narrow way where God will always be with me.

2. The Rocks and The Water - During our orientation, we were advised to bring at least 1 liter of water to prevent getting heat stroke and that we won't get dehydrated. I only brought 1 liter of water thinking that it's a burden to carry more than a liter. Along the way, I realized that one liter is not enough because it was a very long walk! I should have brought at least 2 liters instead. Good thing is they were selling water at the crater lake for P70...although it's expensive, I still bought to fill my thirst. While trekking, there were a lot of rocks, pebbles and sands. These hurt a lot because they would enter my sandals. However, along the way, there were streams that cross the trail. The water would help me remove the elements from my sandals. The rocks, pebbles and sand reminded me of the challenges in life while the water, the solution. Sometimes, the challenges I face are as big as the rocks or as small as the sand but one thing is for sure...it's not pleasant to have them in life. However, God allows challenges in my life so that I could learn and think of ways on how to give solution to a problem with God's help.  Jesus said in John 7:38, "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." The water serves as the solution during the trek...it removes the elements from my sandals and the water I brought quenched my thirst to prevent me from getting dehydrated. JESUS is the ONLY "water" in our life when we face our "rocks, pebbles and sand" and we must always be filled by Him or else, we get "dehydrated".

3. The Trek - Many times along the way, I get tired and just wanted to give up. I found myself complaining and telling myself that if it's just a cemented path, it would be easier for me to hike but the path was full of slopes and rocks. I also get discouraged when I would be the last person in line and having a hard time catching up. I admit that I wasn't fit enough to take the hike but since I already started it, I have to finish it. Then, Philippians 3:13 popped up in my mind which says, "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." So, instead of ranting all the way, I focused my trek on seeing the Crater Lake which is the highlight of the whole journey. I am also encouraged by the patience of our tour guide because he not only carried my backpack, he would wait for me, assist me at some hard to cross paths and tell me stories about Mt. Pinatubo. God again used this opportunity for me to learn. In our life journey, we will be "trekking with people" but sometimes, we get left behind and feel discouraged. That's why it's important to have an accountability partner who will build us up. God designed us to be with people because we will not survive this journey alone. That's why there are a lot of  "one another" verses and one of them is found in 1 Thyessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." and another one is Galatians 6:2 "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."  In relation to our Mt. Pinatubo trek, if the everyone would leave me behind, I might stayed at one spot and won't be able to see the Crater Lake anymore.

4. The Crater Lake - When I reached the entrance to the Crater Lake, I felt a sense of achievement and the long trek was all worth it because it was a beautiful site to rest. FINALLY the reward! When I saw the cross standing near the entrance, I just wanted to break down and cry! I right away had my picture taken so that I would be reminded of my life as a Christian that is very similar to this adventure. God spoke to me again, "Child, your faith and perseverance has brought you here. This adventure is only a glimpse of your life journey. Always remember that at the end of the day, you will be accountable to Me. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Whatever I promise you, I will fulfill. One day, you will be with Me and enjoy My real paradise for you. Come, take your rest. You deserve this. I LOVE YOU!" I am overwhelmed and speechless. I can't help but praise God and give Him all the glory! Just as 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, "However, as it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” The Crater Lake may be a paradise but I can't wait to go to heaven and be with Jesus. No more pain, no more tears and no more suffering.

5. The Skyway - Going back to our base camp, we took the Sky Way already because it is the shorter route. We just wanted to go home and get some rest. I didn't want to leave the Crater Lake because I was already fine there. I didn't want to go back to the rocky trail anymore. However, I had to go back to reality. God again reminded me that Christian living won't be eaasy but I have to go back and tell of the wonderful adventure to others. Just as this trip, I am on a mission of living for Christ. Telling people about the Good News of Christ's love for us even though we are sinners. Plus, having the hope that we will one day meet Him in heaven if we believe in Him and have a realtionship with Him. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."

Until now, although my body still hurts, the Mt. Pinatubo trek was all worth the pain. A different kind of worship took place because it was like God's practicum for me. The five points are just a summary of everything I learned from that journey. I can't wait for the day when I could finally say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7) and hear Jesus say "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!" (Matthew 25:21) Words can't explain the experience I had in this trip....but TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!