His Breath, My Lungs (I hiked a volcano)

Acatenango is a dormant volcano neighboring Fuego, one of Guatemalas active volcanos. The hike up Acatenango is about 7ish hours in total, reaching about 13,000 feet in elevation. I have wanted to make this hike way before coming to Guatemala and FINALLY did it. 

This was the most incredible thing I’ve ever done. If you want to see one of the most beautiful views of your life, hike Acatenango. 

We started out at the bottom of the volcano. We were handed jackets, gloves, a meal, and were told the first 45 minutes would be the worst part. Ready to absolutely conquer this hike, I started straight up the hill full throttle, I am the hiking queen! To preface, I had pneumonia a few years ago and my lungs have never been the same. I don’t have asthma, but pretty close to it. So as I am about 15 minutes of hiking at full force in rising elevation, my lungs started to give out. I didn’t realize this until it was nearly impossible for air to enter my lungs. I stopped to the side trying so hard to catch my breath. 

Some of my squamates and leaders surrounded me as I slowly started to get my breath back. My sweetie girl Ella prayed over me and life was spoken over me. How am I going to do 6 1/2 more hours if I can’t even do the first 15 minutes? What if I have to turn back and can’t do this hike I’ve dreamed of doing for so long? I was genuinely so discouraged. 

The lyrics to Great Are You Lord played in my head. “It’s Your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise to You only”

I could not do that hike in my own strength. My lungs just could not with the rising altitude and the steepness of this volcano. As I took each step forward those lyrics played in my head. 

It’s His breath in my lungs, so I will use my lungs to praise Him. 

I started thinking about my life and all He has given me. He gave me legs, so I will walk in ways that glorify Him. He gave me the ability to speak, so I will use my words to glorify Him. He gave me my life, so I will live my life for Him. 

It made me think of the moments all of these things weren’t used to glorify Him. How empty and hopeless I would feel. Things just aren’t right and were left hungry for things that don’t fulfill. It’s because I am using a gift for something it wasn’t made to do. That’s one of the reasons sin stings so badly, it wasn’t supposed to be this way. 

Before I knew it, it had been 6 hours and I made it to camp. We sat and watched Fuego erupt. We ate camp food for dinner and bundled up by the fire. The next morning at 4 am we hiked another hour and a half to the summit of Acatenango. We froze, teared up at the beauty of the view, then ran back down to camp because of the steepness of the top. It was truly the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. 

So with that, I now have an extreme appreciation for all my body is able to do. I now know so much of my limitations are from mental blocks and doubts of the Lord’s ability to carry me through. I now have a deep longing to use anything He’s given me for Him only. Because when I do, that is when I experience true freedom and fullness. It couldn’t feel more right. 

Bye for now,

MG