Lesotho. A 30 000km2 kingdom reaching nearly 3500m above sea level. At 1400m, the lowest point is the highest of any country in the world. It boasts the highest restaurant and the highest road in Southern Africa and we had the privilege of spending a day in its breathtaking beauty. With every twist in the road, its glorious splendor was unveiled as the sun stroked the mountain tops, streaming down the steep slopes into the shadowy cloak of the creeks and valleys disappearing down below.
Along the roads, children were chasing each other in play, while others burdened the donkeys with the harvest of the day and herded sheep and goats to new pastures. This seems to be their way of life, living on the slopes, raising kids on hills with terrifying slants. Just the thought of my kids playing on those hills makes my stomach turn, but they go about their everyday lives with apparent ease, walking with their flocks and donkeys with confidence, skilled and trained in the geography of their country. Like the feet of a deer on rocky mountain slopes, they are sure of each step, equipped for the territory.
We crisscrossed through the country, in awe and wonder of all the astonishing views and its Creator that designed and fashioned the immaculate sights. Of course, we needed passports to gain access and for our two daughters, an additional piece of paper was required. Unabridged birth certificates. Border control needed proof of the father. Without access to the father, entry is denied. Likewise, without access to our Heavenly Father, we cannot enter His beautiful presence. We cannot experience all the goodness He has in store for us. We cannot live life to the fullest. We need a heavenly passport, which only Jesus can provide. Only by accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary, can we enter into a relationship with the Father and start to taste what life with Him is all about.
The journey we chose to embark on was exciting and new and refreshing and we were filled with expectation of the wonders that lay ahead, but we still had to face the crossroad of choice. We enjoyed the winding roads and the scenery leading up to our intended destination, but in a sense rush past as we were anxious to get to the top! We finally reached the highest restaurant in Southern Africa and after a brief stopover, we had to make a choice of going back the way we came or driving along to the other border. To the right we had the opportunity of soaking up more of this kingdom country, but it would be a much farther drive and would include an unknown mountain pass. To the left, well, we knew what to expect.
Right or left. It seems like a simple choice with no major consequences and our hearts were being pulled in one direction, but I’ve heard people speaking about Sani pass with trepidation in their voices. We didn’t know what we’d face when we’d get there, and out choice would not only impact the two of us, but also our kids, so I felt the tension building as we weighed options. We needed some more information. We couldn’t google the answer and cellphone reception was quite bad. Neither was there a bright ray of sunshine urging us one way or another, but we could ask some guards from the ski resort. Armed with the feedback from the local without a car, we surrendered to the tug in our hearts and turned right.
The winding roads whisked us away on the highest road in Southern Africa on a beautifully tarred road (as promised) to Sani pass. Thrilled with our choice we marveled at the way of life of the Basotho people all the way to the border. And then, only 10m past the Lesotho border post, the reality of our decision stared us in the face. The tar road gave way to a rock-strewn pathway meant to be a road snaking into the valley way below at an alarming gradient! Instinctively I wanted, no needed, to turn around, back to comfort and safety, but with roughly forty minutes of sunlight left, there was only one way to go. Forward. Downward.
In that moment, we became the kids on the mountain slopes and the donkeys traversing the terrifying terrain and we felt ill-equipped for what lay ahead. We had no idea how capable our vehicle was or how the quality of the road would change in the descent. There was no proper road, no safety barriers, no street light. It was scary, let’s not pretend that it wasn’t. Looking down, it felt like the valley was pulling us in and I could imagine the lives the pass had claimed over the years. But looking up, the fear subsided, and I could see how far we’ve already come and how God has provided already.
The sun quickly faded behind the mountains and what we were left with, was all we needed: The headlights of the car to see two meters ahead, the GPS displaying the shape of the road and one bright star reminding us that God will give His angels special charge over us, to accompany and defend and preserve us in all our ways (Ps 91). And so we continued, one meter downward for every three meters forward, praying, trusting and thanking God for progress and victory over every hair needle bend.
It is truly wonderful to experience the beauty of God. His presence. His voice. To experience His Spirit moving. But life with God is not always comfortable and convenient. We often have to make choices with no clear right or wrong and then face its consequences. Sometimes you find yourself in a situation, be it from your own doing or not, where you have no idea how you could possibly get through it. Situations where you have no other choice but to trust God, to hang on, to be patient, to be brave and still move forward. Our walk with the Father at times brings us to high places of suffering or trials or otherwise challenging junctures. Places where we need to be equipped like a deer on a sheer cliff, where complete dependence on God is our only option.
God always provides though. He has in depth knowledge of our thoughts and feelings and knows our needs before we do because God has designed us with a specific purpose in mind. He knows beforehand what choices we’d make or what consequences from others’ choices we would need to face and prepares us for it in His way. God guides us through those gravelly roads in His truth and faithfulness and no one who trust in, wait for and hope in the Lord will be put to shame or be disappointed, therefore we can expectantly wait for the God of our Salvation (Ps 25:3,5).
How blessed are we who are called sons and daughters of the living God! He is with us when we experience His mighty and victorious works. He is there when we must make difficult decisions. He is there when we are staring down a fearsome slope or when we are in the valley and don’t see the way out. He will never leave us nor forsake us and as we lean into Him, we grow closer to our Father. I am thankful today that I can say the Lord God, He is my strength, my personal bravery and my invincible army. He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and enables me to walk – not to stand still in terror – but walk and make progress on high places (Hab 3:19).
Inspirational! There is no other like Him.
Baie mooi
Hello, just wanted to tell you, I loved this post.
It was inspiring. Keep on posting!