There’s much to update you on, but if you have time for a quick story, it’s worth the read…
(If not, the update is at the bottom)
On our property here at The Gateway we have a giant water tower.
I’ve heard it’s anywhere from 30-75 feet high (we’re not that great at guess-timating). Multiple students have already climbed it and danced around on the top. I, however, have glanced at it a couple times from the bottom, never with any real intention of going up.
A couple weeks ago I was sitting up at the office, slaving away at one of the reading assignments, when the tower outside the window caught my attention and refused to let go.
“Climb it.”
I’m pretty sure it was God that said it, because I know myself well enough to know not to tell me something ridiculous like that.
I’ve heard it’s anywhere from 30-75 feet high (we’re not that great at guess-timating). Multiple students have already climbed it and danced around on the top. I, however, have glanced at it a couple times from the bottom, never with any real intention of going up.
A couple weeks ago I was sitting up at the office, slaving away at one of the reading assignments, when the tower outside the window caught my attention and refused to let go.
“Climb it.”
I’m pretty sure it was God that said it, because I know myself well enough to know not to tell me something ridiculous like that.
In all honestly, I probably could have ignored the quiet beckoning, if it wasn’t for having just finished reading The Barbarian Way and the thoughts of “freedom from self” and “glorious adventure” swarming around my head. So, without realizing what I was doing, I found my feet headed into the tall grass and stepping onto the bottom rung. I didn’t quite know if this was the route to surrendering to self, but there was only one way to find out, and that way was up – straight up a rickety metal ladder 50something feet in the air.
About ten feet up I stopped, hugging the rung as tight as I could. Behind me I heard some of the students yelling something, so I turned and told them I was scared to death. I couldn’t understand their reply because the wind was incredibly strong, but I did hear Someone else in total clarity:
About ten feet up I stopped, hugging the rung as tight as I could. Behind me I heard some of the students yelling something, so I turned and told them I was scared to death. I couldn’t understand their reply because the wind was incredibly strong, but I did hear Someone else in total clarity:
“Let me protect you.”
God has been teaching me how often I’ve felt the need to protect myself, so a statement like that hit deep. I decided to just go for it, so as quickly as I could, I climbed up the 75 foot ladder (I’m pretty sure it was at least that). I got to the top and laid out across the large block of concrete, glad to be on a bigger surface but refusing to stand up. Myles, one of the participants, scurried up the ladder to offer some support.
“Is this your first time up here?” he asked.
“Ugh, yeah” I replied.
“Well, why’d you pick such a windy day?”
I had to laugh, but I knew the answer immediately. It was all part of this lesson in trust, this learning to let go – not of the ladder – but of my need to protect myself.
It took me a while, but I eventually stood up, scanning the horizon and taking in the beauty of it all. The way down also took a while. The wind had picked up and it made for a tricky turn to get back on the ladder. But again God asked for my trust, and I felt the wind calm down just long enough to get firmly back on the ladder and head down.
It’s a simple story on trusting God, I know, but it’s a hard lesson for me, and I’m thankful for every moment God presents to bring me yet another step closer into that protection.
As far as the update goes, we’ve now been here in Mexico for a month, and training is well under way. We’ve learned so much about community, theology, serving, even organic gardening! (I know I’m a leader, but so much of this is new material for me, and I am loving being able to take it all in!)
My co-leader, Blair (blairnightingale.myadventures.org), and I are walking with two teams during our time here (discipling them, praying for them, having fun with them, etc.) and will head to Swaziland and South Africa with them at the end of November. We’ll be with each team a couple weeks to make sure they find their footing and then we will head home just in time for Christmas.
And as of this point, January is yet to be determined! 🙂
I’m looking forward to seeing many of you guys around Christmas! I’ll post my intinerary soon and tell you more.
I’m looking forward to seeing many of you guys around Christmas! I’ll post my intinerary soon and tell you more.
Keep praying for God’s activity in our lives. He’s been so good to us!!
I love you all!!
umm I love you!
Becca it’s so cool to read the things the Lord is doing in your life! I can’t wait to read more about them!
Can’t wait for you to come to SA!!! Miss you!
Becca! Wow! Now I understand the trust thing! The tower experience is amazing! That’s exactly what I felt when I took my turn. I had to overcome my fear of the thing by totally trusting God. What an awesome experience and testimony. It was great seeing you and all your friends! What a wonderful group of people! God is so good! Love you so much!!!!
Mom