It was during our first annual Man Trip, on Mt. Huron in Colorado. A group of 14 God-seeking young men came together to take on challenging, yet adventurous, activities. Day one consisted of white-water rafting on the Arkansas river. What's day two's challenge you ask? Climbing to the peak of a 14,000 ft mountain. You have to be in pretty good shape to accomplish this, you can't just roll outta your La-Z-Boy one day and say you're going to climb Mt. Huron. You have to work-out, you have to eat healthy, and you have to train your body to withstand the high altitudes of Colorado. I admit, I barely did any of this stuff, so when I was looking eye-to-rock, needless to say...I felt intimidated. And as we climbed, the goal of standing on this mountain seemed more and more impossible to reach. At a slow pace the first 75% of the climb wasn't too bad, the last 25% I couldn't do by my own strength. I kept thinking of Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." God-willing, I made it to the top and felt like I accomplished something big, with God's help. On the way down is when I saw hope and felt God.
I enjoyed the view from the top longer than the rest of the group so I came back down the mountain by myself. Next thing I know 1 1/2 hours goes by where I don't see anyone, not even in my binoculars. It's fun at first, being out in God's nature with Him and the beauty of the Rockies...then I sat down for a break and realized I only had a couple ounces of water left. My camelback was dry, and I was pretty thirsty. I rationed my water for later and decided to pick up the pace.
Next thing I know, rain clouds are filling the area and thunder rolls through. Thunder is very loud when you're up in the mountains, the first time I heard it scared the crap outta me. Now I'm running down even faster just to get to the tree line, I need some cover from the rain. My water's low, I'm wet, I haven't seen anybody in over an hour, I'm worried I'm going to lose the trail, I'm EXHAUSTED, I don't have my cell phone, and I don't know how much farther until the bottom. Thoughts start creeping in my head like, am I going to get dehydrated? Am I going to get lost? Will my friends come back to find me? I kept praying for God to be with me, asking for his strength and for a sign of hope. I needed something to motivate me and take these negative thoughts outta my head. I needed to whole-heartedly believe God could save me from this. About 30 minutes after I crossed into the tree line I saw a sign hope, it was in two water bottles left behind! On the way up I had left one so I didn't have to carry it up and back down (I figured I wouldn't need it until I was coming back down anyway). I was worried that the guys ahead of me picked up my water bottle so I was shocked with excitement to see it! It refreshed my body and gave me hope to keep on, now my prayer was thanking the Lord for providing and being near to me. Shortly after I ran into 2 guys from my group that were waiting on me, praise the Lord!
Father,
Thank you for hearing our prayers, there really is nothing we can't ask for. Your power is bigger than we can understand, and we thank you for times where you use it in our lives. God help us be a people that always trusts in you, when things seem scary, tough, or even life-threatening help us know you're a God that comes with mercy and grace in perfect timing. Thank you Lord for also sending your Son, who died the death we should have died, who continues to take our place when we sin, so we look blameless in your eyes. Mold us to be more like him, help us Lord, send your spirit to be with us. Thank you for everything you've done in my life and everything you're doing Lord.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
