As we walked on the Camino de Santiago, we saw many beautiful things- the mountains, the sunrise, the wide-open spaces, the sheep, the trees, the water. We all gazed at their beauty and were in awe of how creative our God is. Creation shows a glimpse of the glory of the Lord.
Before we started the hike, the Lord reminded me multiple times at training camp through Psalm 139 that he gazed in awe of his creation as well- including me. He was the one who made me the way I was, he loves the way he made me, he is over everything. He knows the depths of my heart and still pursues me. Whether it was a random text from my mom with that scripture in it or a morning devotional with the group, that scripture was ever-present. The Lord would continue to use it as an encouragement to me.
One of the most beautiful moments for me on the Camino was one morning stopping for breakfast and meeting a group of three Irish women hiking the Camino. Earlier that morning, I woke up angry and overwhelmed. I was tired of group prayer at the brisk hour of 6 in the morning and I wanted to be alone with the Lord. After sharing where my heart was at with a friend on the team, she prayed a simple prayer, “Lord, give Eva an encounter with someone today to lift her spirits.” Not even an hour later, we met three women in an albergue restaurant who overheard our group plans and heart for ministry. They were so encouraged by our heart and mission, but they encouraged me more than they could have known. One of the women named Carol started to talk about how Psalm 139 had been speaking to her heart.
Me and Carol have practically nothing in common. We live in different countries at different stages of life with different problems to sort through but how great is our God to use one passage in scripture to encourage two different people in two different worlds. After crossing paths with her again on the trail, she offered more encouragement. She explained that there was a time in her life when she was angry with the Lord. She would wake up angry and ask the Lord so many questions. She said he said to her, “That’s okay. It’s okay that you’re angry with me, just as long as you’re still with me” (Psalm 139:18b)
As we hiked, we met many people. Many of the conversations started with “Buen Camino”, and ended with the same “Buen Camino” and what happens in between is the most beautiful part. We got to see a glimpse of another human heart- which to God is of much more beauty and value than a mountain or sunrise. The Lord loves a wide open space, but how much more does he love a wide open heart.
I have met so many people on the Camino. Each heart: different. Each mind: distinct. Each face: rare. Each have the same, many desires, but all need and search for One solution. The One is the Lord. He is the way everyone is searching for. He is the healing people are looking for. He is the peace people are seeking. He gives the affirmation people ache for. He is the order people desire. There is a piece of everyone looking for God. We were designed for him, so of course we feel empty without him. I see that more and more as we walk and grow.
Lord, let us all see human hearts like you do- beautiful and rare and seeking you out. Some in the right places, some in the wrong. Every heart different- but with the same beat- you. I pray this view would spur us on to be bold for the things that stir YOUR heart. What would it look like if all of us approached the world the same way?
