It was early in the morning when we packed our water bottles, sandwiches and strapped on our Chacos to prepare for the mountain climb. None of us knew where we were going except a few boys that had scouted the scene, all we knew was that we were going to climb a mountain. It was an intentional climb 
called the Surrender Walk that Tag, Holly, and Heather had all done before at their leader training for AIM. We all walked pretty quietly from the van through the woods, over a barbed wire fence, under a few logs and into the brush anticipating the base of the mountain. We arrived at a clearing where Tag said a few inspirational words and gave some instructions for this Surrender Walk. We were supposed to climb this mountain alone, in silence, just ourselves and the Lord. Before we headed up we needed to find an object somewhere in the woods that represented a burden we had been carrying that we wanted to surrender. We had to carry that object all the way to the top of the mountain and once we reached the top give it to the Lord in an act of surrender. Within minutes we had all split up, lonely bodies wandering through the woods looking for an object to represent our burdens. Some began the ascent quickly while others lingered taking in the challenge, the beauty and perhaps the only moments of silence to be found in a while.
called the Surrender Walk that Tag, Holly, and Heather had all done before at their leader training for AIM. We all walked pretty quietly from the van through the woods, over a barbed wire fence, under a few logs and into the brush anticipating the base of the mountain. We arrived at a clearing where Tag said a few inspirational words and gave some instructions for this Surrender Walk. We were supposed to climb this mountain alone, in silence, just ourselves and the Lord. Before we headed up we needed to find an object somewhere in the woods that represented a burden we had been carrying that we wanted to surrender. We had to carry that object all the way to the top of the mountain and once we reached the top give it to the Lord in an act of surrender. Within minutes we had all split up, lonely bodies wandering through the woods looking for an object to represent our burdens. Some began the ascent quickly while others lingered taking in the challenge, the beauty and perhaps the only moments of silence to be found in a while.
Previously to this Surrender Walk, Chris and I had been through some very hard times in our marriage. There s
eemed to be a lot of stress and tension in our relationship that caused some arguments, angst and frustration. We both had made some wrong choices that hurt the other and were holding onto bitterness from the hurt. I decided I wanted to surrender this hurt and anger. I found my object to represent this burden. It was the South African national flower – a Protea flower. It was a premature Protea, small and not full in color. It had a few dirty and torn petals on the outside but I could see the potential that it had to grow to be an impressive ruby colored blossom. I stuck this flower in the side of my backpack and began my climb.
eemed to be a lot of stress and tension in our relationship that caused some arguments, angst and frustration. We both had made some wrong choices that hurt the other and were holding onto bitterness from the hurt. I decided I wanted to surrender this hurt and anger. I found my object to represent this burden. It was the South African national flower – a Protea flower. It was a premature Protea, small and not full in color. It had a few dirty and torn petals on the outside but I could see the potential that it had to grow to be an impressive ruby colored blossom. I stuck this flower in the side of my backpack and began my climb.
Chris and I stayed within sight of each other but remained silent as we were instructed. There was no path to follow just our intuition and motivation was our guide. Conversations between myself and God began as I thought about my relationship with Chris and surrendering this hurt I was feeling. The rest of the team was scattered all over the mountain. Some had reached the rocks already and some were blazing through the knee high weeds to reach the base. Others had stopped to rest on a rock to meditate, read the Bible or listen to some music. It was quite a tough climb for me. There were moments I was alone and afraid. There were crevices and boulders I didn’t think I could conquer alone. But I took one step at a time and continued to look a the view beyond me and thank God for his presence. When it got tough I kept reminding myself to surrender all.
But there were also moments victory and appreciation. A few times I had to ask Chris to help me climb up a few rocks and he was always there for me, reaching out his hand in patience and encouragement. Another time I was exhausted and wanted to quit, but as I rounded the corner I saw one of my teammates sitting in the sunshine worshiping in song. I reached out my hand in desperation for a pull and she gladly extended her hand and gave me that extra boost I needed. Yet another time one of my teammates called for help from us after being discouraged, afraid and wanting to quit. We had the chance to be community to her in her surrender walk as we prayed and encouraged her that she could make it. 
Chris and I finally made it to the top where we shared the stunning view and a long awaited sandwich. Before we began the decent I knew that it was time to leave my Protea flower on top of the mountain to represent my burdens being left behind. I turned to Chris and confessed a few things that had been on my heart and humbly spoke the words of repentance and forgiveness. I gave him that Protea and said that I believe our marriage has great potential to be full of color and life for all to see but we first must take off the outside layers of filthy, torn leaves. Chris also gave me his surrender object- a weed that represented some sin that had overgrown in our relationship. He confessed, I forgave and we embraced. Together we placed our objects on the same rock and we left them there as we headed back down. I really was a moment where God began a new season in our marriage. We’ve felt God’s peace in our marriage ever since.
I learned a lot from that mountain climb. Mostly about community. We all have these journeys to take and some times it’s challenging like those boulders and sometimes its peaceful like when we get to sit in the sunshine and worship. But along our path there are people that need our help and others that are willing to help us. In marriage, there will be times that my husband can help me but there will be other times when my girlfriends will lend a hand. There will also be times when I’m all alone but I must surrender my fears and trust the Lord is near. And I guess the thing with surrender is that its not a one time climb and it’s over. It is a continual process of releasing our burdens, not giving into temptation and fighting for what you know is truth. Along the way our community is th
ere to walk with us as we all try to figure out what it means to know God and make him known.
ere to walk with us as we all try to figure out what it means to know God and make him known.
Climb a mountain, hike a hill or just find a place that is peaceful to you and surrender your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them up that mountain for you. You don’t have to do it alone. “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55:22
Thank you for sharing that! Are you a missionary or were you a part of a missions trip?