Ministry

Mountain vs Me

Welcome to Term 2! I hope and pray that you had a safe and restful break and are looking forward to another jam-packed term. In the spirit of the Endeavour Way, our theme for Term 2 is Courage.

The word might conjure up a lot of different images in your head – from superheroes to warriors, being strong and bold, or big and mighty. But as I’m continually learning, there is a lot more to courage than simply being strong and brave. Courage can be as unassuming as picking yourself up and moving on in the face of failure, or giving something a go, even when you are unsure of the outcome.

In a bid to try to slow down and 'de-everything' before Term 2 began, I decided to go camping in one of my favourite places in the world the Grampians National Park in Victoria. I invited some friends along, but was not at all disappointed when none of them could come! So, on Monday I packed up my little Corolla and drove the seven hours to the magnificent, special mountain range.

It’s strange how empowering and encouraging the littlest of things can be when travelling and camping solo. Here’s a few things that I learned on my adventure:

Packing lists are weirdly satisfying to create when you are planning a trip.
The right playlist can make all the difference on a solo road trip.
You save a lot of money on camping gear when you know you’ll inherit your dad’s treasure trove of equipment one day!
Only getting around to purchasing a topographic map on your last day is a bad idea.
Hiking poles are not just for grey nomads – they are actually really helpful!
When staking out a sunset on top of a mountain, always bring an extra pair of socks.
Always smile at strangers – you might end up becoming great friends.
I am much better at building a fire than I thought.
I am much better at cooking over a fire than I thought.
While I love people, being alone does not always mean being lonely.

The trip was scary as well as exciting for me. I have not camped solo for as long a time, or so far away. I minimized risks by planning well, but there were many variables that I had little control over. I had to relinquish that worry to God, and trust that His loving care would keep me safe, and more than that, He would embolden me by His own strength.

In hiking, it’s often as much a mental exercise as physical. We wrestle with our muscles and lungs as well as worrying whether we are on the right path, or if we have time to make it back before dark. We trust that the view from the top will be worth it. We push on and keep climbing and boy, were the views on my trip breathtaking!

Paul and other New Testament authors talk about keeping our eyes on the finish line as we run the race of life (1 Corinthians 9:24, Hebrews 12:1-3). I encourage you, keep the promise of the mountaintop at the front of your mind while experiencing the ebbs and flows of life, fixing your eyes on Jesus, who walks with us every step of the way.

Peace and Grace,

Alex Schmocker

Youth Worker