[TDD Readers: My apologies for the delay in bringing this final entry from the Appalachian Trail adventure to you. I hope you find it to be a valuable conclusion to that series of excerpts from my little excursion out into the boonies. By the way, if you missed any of the previous AT entries, you can find them all here.]
Friday, June 19th:
As I mentioned in yesterday's journal entry, we got off the trail a day early primarily because of the deteriorating weather conditions that we had been battling all week. So, this morning, after a good night's sleep, we gathered all of the guys into our hotel room here at the Days Inn for a final devotional sharing time (before we head off on a "touristy" excursion to Damascus later today--which happens to be one of the most famous towns on the Trail because of their annual "Trail Days" event each summer). I had told the guys last night during our devotions to be thinking about what they learned during their time on the trail this week. Today's devotional topic centered on the subject of "Transformation". By definition, this term evokes a sense of change, of metamorphosis from the old to the new. Thus, I wanted each guy to share about how they had changed as a result of their experience this past week. The content of our discussion was amazing.
Given the more intimate nature of our discussion, I want to be respectful of each guy who was there and not embarrass them in any way. But in doing so, I also want to share some of what I felt were the most incredible experiences that were related to the group. It proved to be a very emotionally moving time together.
"And now, the rest of the story...", as the late Paul Harvey would say. With considerable emotion, Jeff O. shared his perspective from that difficult trek across the Grayson Highlands on Wednesday. He said throughout this trip, God had continually been speaking to him, repeatedly probing him with question, "Do you trust Me?" That question was being drilled into him every step of the way. And on that particular afternoon when we all were beginning to hit a physical, mental, and emotional wall, God was pressing into him further still. It came to the point after crossing all of the rocks and rivers of water, Jeff said, when God asked him yet again, "Do you trust Me?". And Jeff candidly responded to God's prompting, "Yes, God, I trust You...but I really don't think I can go another step."
Jeff O. said it was right at that moment when Justin and I came bounding over the rocks, arriving just in time to carry his pack for him. And for Jeff, God came through in a mighty way, reminding him (and subsequently all of us, as Jeff shared) that God is trustworthy and still in control. Because God can see the Big Picture even when we can't, and He knew we were coming back for Jeff, even if all Jeff could see was the wall of rocks in front of him.
The other part of the incredible afternoon on Grayson Highlands was what Justin, one of our strongest hikers, shared with us. He vulnerably admitted to us that really the only time he was ever scared during the entire week was when we were coming across Grayson Highlands in the middle of the lightning storm (in which the likelihood of us being struck by lightning was an actual reality). For all of us during that stretch, the fact that there was no real cover to speak of only heightened the tension and fear we felt. And yet, God protected Justin and all of us throughout that, and every other section on the trail.
What was particularly inspiring to me about Justin's admission, however, was that I don't know of his fears until after it was all over. And as I reflected again on those moments when we gearing up to head back to look for Jeff O., I saw a man who volunteered to head back into the throes of danger without apparent fear or hesitation. He saw the need and willingly faced whatever fears were conflicting within him in order to go back and help Jeff. As I sat and listened to Justin share from his heart, and as I reflected on the circumstances of those moments, I was impressed yet again with what an act of real courage that was.
Others shared a variety of things, but I wanted to highlight just a brief few of the overarching lessons I have come away with from this extraordinary experience. They are summarized according to the following key words and ideas:
Perseverance: This entire week cultivated perseverance as we faced the ups and downs of the trail. I found those challenges to be very analogous to life. My own life over the last year has had considerable ups and downs, as many other peoples' have as well. And yet, on the trail the overcomers are those who block out the forest and focus on the trees. That is, resisting the temptation to be overwhelmed by all of the concerns that may lie ahead, and instead, focus on overcoming that next obstacle right in front of you...and then, the next one...and the next one...until eventually you stand on the top of the mountain and look back over the unimaginable lengths of ground you have covered. And it is ground that you have covered with the steady, guiding hand of God walking with you every step of the way, whether you are aware that He's there or not.
Interdependence: This lesson was driven home earlier in the week. In fact, it coincided with the topic of our devotional that particular day (Tuesday). And it was, as I wrote in the journal then, a very timely topic, given my own sickly physical condition at the time. To see the guys step up then (and at other times throughout the week) and help eachother out in genuinely sacrificial ways, reinforced to me the indispensable value of this concept. Too often, we seek to do it on our own, and for us guys that pride of independence is a fierce obstacle to overcome. But in the clutches of weakness like I was experiencing that day, I began to see the immense benefit of moving from independence to interdependence. I only hope I can carry that quality into the rest of life.
Community: Related to interdependence was this concept of community. We talked all week about becoming a "band of brothers", and it was amazing to watch that evolution tangibly take place. As those who have ever experienced life in a combat zone can attest, the crucible of often-cruel circumstances brings out the core nature of those who are involved with you in that experience. And the circumstances breed a loyalty that for many is life-long. Our week on the trail was nothing close to combat to be sure, but the similarities of bonding began to form as guys worked together, laughed together, limped together and served eachother in a mutual effort to get everyone to the end. It was a phenomenal metamorphosis to behold, and to have been a part of that experience was truly amazing.
We often talk in churches about developing community, but as I learned on the trail, we don't often create an environment where the seeds of community can actually begin to germinate and flourish. As long as we rest comfortably within the safe confines of our church walls (while talking about Acts 2 "community"), we will not move beyond theoretical conversations to the actual manifestation of genuine community in our lives. It requires getting beyond ourselves in order to sacrifice and serve others. IAnd it will emerge through an intentional investment in others. The truth of that lesson was driven home to us this week as we found ourselves in the midst of the kind of community that we have always only talked about. Again, I just hope I can carry that evolution back to my daily interactions with othersm, within the church and without.
There were a whole host of other lessons and anecdotes that I wish I had the time or space to record. But they will be forever seared in my mind instead, I suppose. Having been out on the Appalachian Trail before (with my good friend, Andy back in 1996), I had some idea of what I was in for on this trip. And I trained accordingly, trying to anticipate any likely scenario that might present itself out there. And for the most part, I planned and prepared correctly. Despite all of that preparation, however, I was not prepared for the deep, sometimes-difficult, lessons that God wanted to teach me out on the trail. Nor did I anticipate how a group of guys from different churches, backgrounds, and states--who were hiking the first day while simultaneously introducing ourselves to eachother--could in such a relatively short time, develop a bond of friendship that transcends time and circumstances. As I have alluded to throughout this journal, I was privileged to be able to hike with this incredible group of guys. And I know that my life is better for having spent that incredibly difficult, but equally rewarding, week with them out on the Appalachian Trail.
Now, who's ready for next year? :)