One of the walks was to Chapel Point. It was extremely windy, and a little on the cold side. One of those 'good for the soul walks', or at least that's what we kept saying to the kids, who ranged from running freely, walking half-heartedly, to asking for piggy backs, or being fast asleep. I remember as a kid asking what the point of walks were; you just walk to a place, and then walk home again! But as an adult, I see the benefit of the fresh air, the beauty of nature, the breathtaking views, the chats and wonderings, the legwork and the 'just because' element.
As we left for the return walk, my eldest daughter (6) and my friend's eldest daughter (7) decided they wanted to carry a huge rock back with them the 1.3miles. They took a liking to the rock, because it looked like a massive piece of discarded chewing gum, and that was a good enough reason to carry it home. They took it in turns carrying the rock individually, or attempting to carry it together. At the top of the hill, it was suggested to them that they could indeed leave it at the top, as they had done well to carry it that far. The girls thought about it, but decided that they were up for the challenge, and said they were even enjoying the challenge. So on they carried it, slowly but surely.
I knew it was a blog post waiting to happen, but couldn't decide what angle I'd look at it from. I discussed it with the girls as we walked, and they reminded me about Moses striking a rock and water coming out of it. Good point and not the first one I would have thought of. Eventually the three of us caught up with the others who had waited for us. We were apparently taking a long time. Rocks are heavy after all.
My friend Yohaan, suggested that the girls carrying the rock was like the time and effort we waste on useless things that hold us back from reaching our destination. A very valid point, and not my usual lighthearted style, but poignant to remember indeed. The time and effort I waste on my phone definitely holds me back, and yesterday I had a realisation that I probably put more time and effort into more sleep, than into praying, so that needs to change.
But I think I liked the girls' sheer determination. They made a decision right at the beginning, and when it was tough, they didn't waver from the decision they had made. They persevered, when the easier option was to give up. When the Bible talks about perseverance, the word hope often follows. As Christians, we persevere in the tough times because we have hope. Whether we feel hopeful or not, does not change the fact and the truth that we do have hope. We have hope because of what Jesus has done for us, and because of what the Holy Spirit is continuing to do in, through and for us.
God made a decision at the beginning of creation, a decision to rescue this world from sin, a decision which would cause Him His greatest heartache and His greatest Joy at the same time; to give up His beloved son in the place of sinners, in my place. He never wavered from that decision, and I'm grateful for what that means for me, and for my kids, and for anyone who wants to put their trust in Him, who wants to put their trust in the Rock of Ages.
"And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us". Romans 5v2-5
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