The Journey/Stepping Out:

The moon pierces the clear night sky ahead of us.  I lean back in the front seat, close my eyes and breathe in the cool, clean air rushing in from the open window.  Even after more than 30 hours of travel, this ride, which now finds us somewhere between Kiev and the Moldova-Ukraine border, isn’t bothering me.  Although I have never been here, there is a certain familiarity that I can’t escape.  The rolling terrain, the long, winding highway, even the rhythmic up-and-down motion of the car as it slowly makes its way along the pavement all take my mind back to those eight-hour drives I made so many times to and from college in Tennessee.  I suddenly remember how much I miss them.  Life gets busy and sometimes you need to have time alone with just you and God.  Those were my times with God.  Often spent with no music or other things to distract me, I could slow down the world for a little while, sit in the quiet and listen for that still, small voice.  I was so restless back then, and still am to some degree.  Unsure of my true purpose in life, and often even what my next step should be, I have been learning to find peace seeking God and trusting Him in everything.  The words of the song playing on my iPhone, though not a Christian one, strike a chord with me.  “I need you so much closer,” the lyrics plead several times.  This is my prayer right now.  As soon as I think this, a wave of emotion overtakes me.  I lean back in my seat and close my eyes again, this time not out of fatigue but rather to hold back tears.  I have not even stepped foot in the camp yet but already I can feel God stirring in my heart…working in my life.  His presence is here, in this small van overflowing with luggage and tired people, driving down a strange road somewhere in the middle of a strange land.  Suddenly, everything...the heat, hunger, and lack of sleep…all seem insignificant.  I feel like I have taken a step in faith without being able to see where my foot will land, and God has met me here.  He has again proven that He will never fail me…that all I need to do is be obedient to His voice, step out, and He will be there to meet me.  I know I have a long week ahead at camp and don’t know exactly what to expect, but right now I don’t really care.  I am refreshed and eager to see what God has for me next.  I am reminded that all I need to do is let go of control, walk towards God’s voice and trust Him to guide my steps when I cannot see what is ahead.  I feel like I want to let go of all my worries, of everything holding me back, and start running towards whatever God has for me.  My attention snaps back to the song still playing in my headphones.  “So come on…” the voice softly beckons, “come on.”  I just smile. 

-Seth Huff