Pitch Black

Last week, we climbed a volcano. As much hard work as it was climbing up, and as much fun as it was roasting marshmallows and climbing into steam geysers at the top, I want to focus on the terrifying, heart wrenching descent. That we completed in the Pitch Black Dark. 
We realized it was getting dark. But it didn't really click that we still had an hour and a half climb down still, until we began. 
"Don't worry," our guide told us. "The horses have better eyes than you." Well, that's good news for those who actually rented horses, I thought a tad sarcastically. Unfortunately, I was not one of those select. So: stuck on a volcano, four kilometers away from our bus, hoping just to get down without broken bones or horses falling on me. 

Bekah and I started our descent, clinging together and shouting each time our foot didn't find ground where we were expecting it. As much as I wanted it to be an adventure and an experience, that first half hour was absolutely terrifying. 

But then, I realized that every step down had actually touched ground. The volcano hadn't suddenly disappeared midstep. And I was reminded of something that I wrote of early on on this blog. Not knowing my next step doesn't mean God doesn't. In fact, he probably has the entire mountain planned out, and then more. I know, I know- don't take everything so literal. But sometimes, that's what it takes for me to realize the truth in the words. Sometimes, I think I've surrendered everything to God, but until I am physically uncomfortable in my lack of knowledge, I don't realize I've held on to something. Does this make any sense? 
Well, we got down the volcano. Near the end some policemen came up with flashlights and helped us the rest of the way. But that time in the middle will remain as one of the most trusting, peace filled moments I have ever experienced.