[EDITOR’S NOTE: We didn’t get Joe’s October 12 entry posted until the 13th. This is that post. There is also an entry for his Camino journey on the 13th, which you will find above.]
Sometimes I absolutely amaze myself! And it’s not for good reasons. In this case, I amazed myself at how long it has taken me to learn one little lesson. I believe this is walking day #36, and I can’t believe it took me that long to learn this lesson. But it was not until I got to my hostel today, got checked in, and got a hot shower that something clicked within me!
Now, to give you some background info so this will make more sense, I’ll admit I have been a bit of a worrier. More specifically, I was a bit worried about today’s stage on the trail.
It was a fairly long stage, and my curled and hammer toes are getting less and less happy with me as I have journeyed over 500 miles. They complain and ask me when I am going to go back to my sedentary life of sitting at a desk.
I knew today’s stage was nearly 18 miles, and a lot of it was steep. In fact, as I came to one section today, I looked at it and thought, “I am on the wrong trail, because this is as steep as it was in the Pyrenees mountains!” But I checked my app and, sure enough, it was the right trail.
So I feared today’s stage a bit, just like I fear tomorrow’s. Tomorrow is about 17 miles, and they are forecasting rain all day! I have been blessed — in 36 days, I’ve only had two days of rain. That probably is a Camino record — generally it rains a lot!
Anyway, yesterday was only about a 14-mile walk, but I’ll admit, by the time I checked into my hostel I was spent. I was really glad the hostel was open so I didn’t have to wait a couple of hours as I do sometimes!
I thought, “If I struggled this much with 14 miles, how am I going to handle 18 miles, with my body starting to feel some weariness from the many miles of wear and tear and no down time to recover?”
But this is the lesson that came to me so forcefully today. Are you ready?
God gives me the strength I need for that particular day!
Simple, isn’t it? That’s why I amaze myself by how slow I am to learn things.
Yesterday, I didn’t need strength for an 18-mile day. I only needed strength for a 14-mile day. God gave that. Looking back, I’ve noticed that I haven’t really haven’t struggled much more for a longer stage than a shorter stage. I always thought that was just a bit strange. But finally I understand — God gives me the exact amount of strength that I need for that day — no more, no less!
Today’s 18-mile trek was actually not much more of a struggle than yesterday’s 14 miles. So, instead of stressing about tomorrow — the distance and the rain — I just need to know that God will give me the exact amount of strength I will need!
Are you facing a big trial or a big assignment or a big hurt — a big stage — on your Camino of life? Remember, God will give you exactly what you need to get through it! So quit stressing as I have been! God is monitoring your situation and will respond accordingly!
Since I am now two stages removed from the celebratory atmosphere of Santiago and all the fanfare around pilgrims completing the Camino, my mind today went back to the concept that piqued my interest in the Camino enough to cause me to say “I’m in!” That is the discussion over the “end of the earth.”
Quickly I want you to think of the place that in your mind would be the most remote place on earth. I used to think that was El Dorado Springs, but now, just as they say that all roads lead to Rome, and all Caminos in Spain lead to Santiago, I now believe that all roads lead to El Dorado Springs. In fact, if some of you reading this do not live in El Dorado Springs, and you’re thinking about relocating, I have a great place you might want to consider! 😁
But just think of that most remote place in the entire world from your perspective.
2,000 years ago in the mind of the Apostle James, Spain was that most remote place. It was truly considered the End of the Earth! You could go west as far as you could go, and all of a sudden there was the Atlantic ocean. That, in his mind, was the end of the earth.
He was taking Acts 1:8 seriously. Jesus says to take the gospel to Jerusalem; James could say, “Check!”
Then He says to go to Judea. James could say, “Check!”
Then, “Go to Samaria.”
“Check!”
But James wanted to fulfill ALL of that verse, which ends up saying, “…and to the ends of the earth.”
As I’ve walked across Spain, I’ve tried to imagine how it looked 2000 years ago. Today it is a modern country. As I have walked from the northeast corner across to the west, I find that in some ways it’s more modern than parts of the United States. Here, I have seen hundreds of huge wind turbines and an infrastructure of roads that interconnects the country. Their technology doesn’t have to take a back seat to any country!
But 2,000 years ago, it was rough and remote. Though we don’t have scriptural proof that James made it to Spain, tradition says he did. Keep in mind that it would have been difficult for him to say goodbye to his family and go as far west as he could. It is convicting that he was willing to go to what, in his mind, was the end of the earth!
So all of that to just say that this is how I felt impressed to pray today: I first told the Lord how I have loved the ministries He has given me! In fact, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love pastoring the church where He — and you — have allowed me to serve for so many years. I love serving through the international ministry of our World Missions Board. I love that God has even opened doors for me to serve our community through several different opportunities.
I realize I have way less years in front of me than I do behind me, but I prayed, “God, give me the willingness of the Apostle James to get out of my comfort zone and serve You in remote and even ‘end of the earth’ areas of need. I may not be willing to do it initially, but I am willing for You to make me willing, just as You made the apostle James willing to go to Spain!”
I hope you will pray that same prayer over the next few days.
Well, only a couple of stages left. I’m looking forward to seeing what God will teach us together!
My albergue (hostel). 27 roommates tonight!
Approximate total miles: 555
Approximate miles walked today: 18
Approximate remaining miles: 30