Friday, 25 October 2013

Conquering Mount Qua Qua

Today I got to cross one item off my "Things to do" list in Grenada - go on a hike! (Thanks Coleen)

Destination - Mount Qua Qua, one of the mountains surrounding Lake Grand Etang


 Lake Grand Etang, which wasn't as grand as it was last time I visited due to the overgrowth of vegetation


Here are some of my reflections from this journey up all 2730 feet of God's craftsmanship, which interestingly had a lot to do with the Christian journey of faith.

1. In the Christian life, you need to be clothed with the armour of God - helmet of salvation, belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, sword of the Spirit, shield of faith. Without these, you will get a lot more licks from the enemy than is necessary.

My jacket kept me warm and dry (thanks Lydia and Daniel!) and ensured that my arms were free from scrapes inflicted by razor grass

2. It helps to share your journey of faith with other Christians through fellowship. Even though you feel you can make it by yourself as a Christian, there are times when you may fall and need the encouragement and support of others to keep you going. You are also there to help others who may not be as strong.

Big props to my 'guardians' - they did a good job

3. Sometimes you get discouraged in your Christian life when you see the size of the obstacles in your path and you may feel there is no way you can get past it. But if you just keep trusting God for the strength to make the next step, and the one after that, before you know it, you would have climbed the mountain.

Making our way uphill

4. When you look back at where you have come from, you realise that you have come too far to turn back, and that gives you the encouragement to go on.

View of Lake Grand Etang in the distance

5. Be prepared for difficulties along the path. If you know that there are going to be trials, and make up your mind to go through them instead of complaining in the midst of them, your journey would be a lot smoother.

The hike was easier for those of us who didn't try to avoid the mud

6. Rest is crucial for you to be able to endure to the end. Don't feel discouraged by those who are passing you by - it is not a race. The important thing is that you finish, and finish well. In order to do this, there is need for rest so you can re-charge your spiritual batteries because the journey could get overwhelming at times.

Taking a breather

7. Take time to enjoy the view. Enjoy whatever stage of life you are in at present, because you don't  know how long it will last for. Make the most of the opportunities you have. Don't be so busy 'doing' that you miss out on what is going on around you.

Soaking in the beauty of God's creation

8. The reward at the end of the Christian life is so worth it - when you get to spend the rest of eternity with God, all that you went through to get there pales in comparison.

The view at the top was so worth the climb!

The only difference between this hike and the Christian life is that we had to come down afterwards, but that wasn't so bad because there was a reward at the bottom.

My  first taste of Grenadian oil down - DELICIOUS!


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