Translation from Pidgin English: when you don’t understand what is going on/ you just aren’t getting it/ things are difficult/ things are not making sense.
Pun intended (You’ll see why by the end of this post)
In 2015, I climbed up a volcano. Yes, a whole volcano in Guatemala. On that day, I woke up very excited that I was about to do something extraordinary. I knew it would not be easy but in my mind that morning, I had already envisioned myself at the top so I knew that today was the day I was going to be on top of a volcano. Point blank.
So with anticipation, I wore my clothes and sneakers and myself and a group of about 20 people who had gone on the trip with me set off. It was going smoothly at first, almost like a normal hike. All of us were together.
Then, we started to separate. The individuals who were more fit and faster were ahead and the people who were initially behind me were now walking ahead of me. Then all of sudden, I realized I was in the back, back. Like the last person on the trail…struggling.
Come and see me. At this point, it was getting harder to breathe but I was still so determined. The trail was getting steeper but I kept telling myself that I could do it. Meanwhile, the gap between the group and I was getting wider and wider. Bro., I was not seeing top at all…. But I kept going.
Somewhere along the way, one person kinda stopped/slowed down so that I wouldn’t be alone in the back. Still grateful for her for doing that. We were going, slowly but surely. One step at a time. Pausing to rest as needed.
After a while, I heard a horse behind me. At first, I thought I was just hearing things but I turned around and indeed there was a big ol’ horse.
Ok, pause. I know this probably sounds like a movie or I’m making things up but I’m telling you the absolute truth. You still with me?
Alright, so a man comes riding on a horse behind us and said that if I paid him this amount, he would have me ride on the horse to the top. It was so tempting to just allow the horse to do all the work. I almost gave in but then I remembered that I had made a commitment to myself to get to the top myself… so I declined his offer. Then temptingly, he kept riding beside me asking if I was sure of my decision. Again, I wanted to say yes but took the courage to say no and kept pushing upward.
Slowly, gradually, thankfully I finally made it to the top and oh boy was I happy. I was proud of myself for not giving up and for pushing to the top. Yes sure I wasn’t the first person in the group to make it up there but I still made it up there.
ISAIAH 41:10 (NLT)
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Since it was a volcano there were some spots that you could call “hot spots” so we even got to roast marshmallows and make s’mores. And don’t get me started on the view. It was amazing.
Me at the top of the volcano 
Going down the volcano 
Volcano info
These last couple of weeks, God has been reminding me of this journey I took on the volcano. The journey was tough but the key was that, I still kept pushing. When I got tired, I rested and did not quit. I noticed the people who were ahead of me but I did not compare myself to them. I did not take the easy way out by saying yes to the horse. Just one step at a time and eventually, I made it to the top.
So, I just want to encourage someone (and myself) today. Whatever journey you’re on, if it seems like you don’t see top (you don’t understand what’s going on), it is probably that way for a reason. You need to keep going, friend. Cos see, when you’re fearful, you don’t see possibilities. When you don’t move, you will never reach the top. Just because you don’t see the top of the mountain doesn’t mean there’s no top. The top is there and the only way you can get to see it is by taking steps Every. Single. Day. You can either choose to see the top from a distance or decide to take steps on the journey to actually reach the top. Plus, when you acknowledge God, He has promised to strengthen and help us.
We’ve got this fam. We will dominate in victory.
Song Reminder: Kilimanjaro – Nimix
(This song is basically reminding us that God is always with us even if the mountain before you is as high as kilimanjaro (the highest mountain/volcano on Earth). So fitting!). Please oo, I don’t own this music.
K, thanks. Be blessed!