I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning back
Hymn ‘Assam’ by Sadhu Sundar Singh/Simon Kara Marak
Our intrepid group started to sing this refrain as we followed our guide up the track – his name was Jesus. Clad in purple camouflage wetsuits, harnesses and helmets, my family of young adults, plus their partners, were all set for an adventure in the Pico mountains, northern Spain. We’d managed to book a 5pm slot to go canyoning.
Having signed away our lives in damage waivers, feeling like ‘The Incredibles’ in our neoprene outfits, our minibus journey took us up a gorge on a winding road, still under construction. Wisps of cloud hugged craggy pinnacles of limestone. We were about to become part of nature, following the flow of water down a deep ravine.
The next 2.5 hours were spent sliding down rocks, abseiling down waterfalls and leaping into deep plunge pools. It was as much a physical test as a mental one, fuelled by adrenaline and shouts of encouragement from the group, ‘You can do this Mum!’ and ‘Well done, you smashed it!’
Regardless of group enthusiasm, without our guide Jesus, we’d have quickly run into danger. At each new rock formation, he carefully explained in broken English and gesticulations, what we had to do the navigate our way and choose the route where the force of the water had sculpted the landscape and smoothed the jagged edges. Sometimes he demonstrated what to do and went ahead; at times he produced safety ropes and stayed behind to be-lay us to the safety of a ledge below. On occasion he playfully pushed us when we were hesitant, fully knowing a deep plunge pool would catch us.
The experience made me reflect on my life’s journey of being a Christian and the importance of knowing who I am following, and that Jesus Christ goes behind, beside and ahead of me, through life’s equivalent of deep dark ravines, where the water relentlessly pushes you forward, to the quiet pools of tranquil water where tadpoles cling to rocks.
I was also reminded that being part of an intergenerational group, made for a richer experience. Encouraging the cautious and celebrating the achievements, being altogether, we spurred each other on to the end, making sure all were cared for and non-one was left behind.
As we reached our exit point from the ravine, it was starting to get dark and ominous rumblings of thunder echoed from the cliffs above. Exhausted yet elated, we clambered back into our minibus, longing for a hot shower. Almost immediately the heavens opened, and huge raindrops fell, quickly turning the road into a water slide, whilst the sky flashed with forks of electricity. Nature was in full swing as we arrived back at base camp at 10pm!
Once again, I was grateful to our guide and driver for bringing us safely back down the mountain, inwardly smiling that you’re never too old to go on an adventure following Jesus!
I wonder..?
What adventure is Jesus taking your Messy Church on?
With whom are you sharing this journey?
If you’re wondering how to journey ‘All Together’ as a Messy Church, you can pick up some top tips from recently republished ‘Messy Togetherness’ by Martyn Payne with a new chapter by Chris Barnett.
Aike Kennett-Brown
BRF ministries Messy Church Ministry Lead
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