Blue Mountain Learning

While camping with friends in Australia’s Blue Mountains west of Sydney, I was intrigued by the beautiful rock formations and miles of scenic forests. The many oil-bearing eucalyptus trees fill the local atmosphere with finely dispersed droplets of oil and combine with dust particles and water vapor to yield a rich blue color across the landscape.

During our first visit there, we went horseback riding in Gosford. On another occasion, we returned to the Blue Mountains for  a weekend to get to know each other better, study the Bible, and enjoy the local sites. I learned a few life-and-death lessons there.

Our first adventure was horseback riding along mountain trails and through the nearby valleys. Our guide asked who had ever ridden a horse before. Having very limited riding experience (only one time), I boldly raised my hand, since I figured I’d get a more interesting horse that way. The “greenhorns” got the nicer, tamer horses. In fact, Bruce (who looked the part of Aussie equestrian with his Snowy River hat and oilskin duster coat) took his seat upon a sturdy looking, but very short, horse—which promptly folded its legs and fell beneath him. Despite Bruce’s yells, it took the guide’s help to get the horse on its feet again.

Having given the impression that I was an experienced rider, my horse looked solid and perhaps a little too spirited. I was able to rein him in before starting our trek along the trails, and he stayed in queue with the dozen or so other mounts. At one point, the trail opened into a wide meadow area. I had been giving my horse small, light kicks in the side to keep him going when he wanted to take a break. But with so much open space ahead, he saw his opportunity to enjoy himself.

With a spirited whinny he took off at a gallop before I knew what had happed. I pulled hard on the reins and shouted “Whoa!” over and over—but my happy steed had no intention of stopping. I did my best to keep my feet in the stirrups, but soon I felt my body about to go flying off his back. I grabbed his mane with both hands and held on for dear life. It was at that point that I remembered there was a God in heaven.

I spoke in tongues fervently (and out loud as I recall) and thanked my Father for letting me get out of this predicament alive. God came through, with the help of the guide who finally caught up with me after my horse had had his “run.” He recommended that I keep a tight rein on our equine friend the rest of the ride. I wholeheartedly agreed.

Sometime later, we treked into the Blue Mountains for a weekend to “advance” in the God’s Word and our practical care for each other.

We reached camp and had a nice night together around a campfire. The next morning, we decided the men needed some time together. On our hike, I enjoyed a beautiful view near the edge of a cliff with five of the guys, having left Sherry and the ladies to fellowship together back at the camp.  The nearly fifty-foot drop below didn’t even enter my mind as we laughed and talked about our adventures. The next moment, my feet had slipped out from under me on loose gravel and I was airborne over the cliff.

Growing up with Saturday morning cartoons, I remembered how animated characters could stand still in midair as they realized their predicament. It seemed to me as if I was doing the same. But then I began to plummet and my thoughts changed—I saw myself in a wheelchair.

We were in the Blue Mountains to learn more about prayer and believing. I knew that my thoughts could affect the results I received, so I immediately grabbed my mind. As I fell, I pictured myself in my favorite athletic sweats enjoying a vigorous run near our home in Potts Point. Then I hit the rocks below, landing on my back.

Quickly the guys clambered down to my side, and Bruce prayed for me. They carefully helped me back to camp, and I was able to finish the day as planned before heading home. My back was in extreme pain, but I remembered how Bruce had prayed for specific things to be healed—in the name of Jesus Christ! One verse I kept in mind the next few days was:

I Peter 2:24:
Who [Jesus Christ] his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 

I knew that I was righteous in what Christ had done for me (despite my stupidity on horseback and near the cliff’s edge). I also knew that Jesus Christ had suffered and died on the cross so that I could have forgiveness and physical wholeness.

Less than a week later, the deliverance that I had envisioned while falling had come to pass. Despite a lingering soreness, I was able to walk, run, and function normally.  I was up running in my favorite sweats–running down the hill past Woolamaloo, across the Botanical Gardens, and stretching at the  Sydney Opera House–and so thankful for God’s goodness to me.

I had learned to trust my Father to keep His promises through Jesus Christ.