Taking the Roundabout Way

“This is why you brought me here, Lord,” I thought as I stood awestruck on a trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. The forest was abundant with neon green foliage, moss crawled over every rock and fallen tree trunk, the air was slightly humid from the nearby ocean.

I watched the tops of the ancient giants sway in a soft breeze, marveling at the circumference of the trunks – some larger than a car. This trail was reminiscent of Washington, so I automatically loved it.

Standing there amongst the towering monoliths I understood for the third time that week why God had brought me here, to a place that I didn’t even know existed, to a place that was completely out of the way according to the route I’d created for myself.

The coast of Northern California wasn’t on my radar during my two-month stint traveling and living out of my car this past summer. I was on an inland journey northward; Crater Lake, Oregon was next on my itinerary; Washington was the ultimate the goal.

But on a smoky night in Mount Shasta, those plans changed when I felt the nudge of Holy Spirit telling me to leave rather abruptly. To go west, not north.

I was at an epic campsite that had spectacular views of the mountain, eating dinner as I watched the smoke from the enlarging Lava Fire eat up the sky. I couldn’t be sure that I heard God correctly. It was nearly 8pm and I was getting ready to go to bed – with the intent of doing an early hike in the morning.

Now wasn’t the time to leave… was it? Well, the fire was definitely getting worse. The campsite that had been full of nomads the night before was now a ghost town. Everyone had cleared out. I could see the line of flames licking up the tree line northwest of the mighty mountain herself.

“Where should I go, Lord? North?” I asked hopefully, as I asked each time I left a location.

SUV-life was different from van life because I was letting God guide me. Before the trip transpired, I was so excited that God was even calling me to the nomadic life again, I told him I’d go wherever he led me.

Aside from a music festival in the Nevada desert to kick off my travels, I made absolutely no plans. There were obviously places I wanted to go more than others (i.e., the PNW and Canada, if the borders ever open up again) but I didn’t create an itinerary.

It turned out God didn’t really care which direction I went, because the focus of this trip wasn’t so much about the places as it was about the people I encountered. So as the weeks trickled on, I moved at a snail’s pace toward the PNW, pinching myself to make sure it was real each time God gave me the green light.

This time, it was different.

Through Biblical confirmation, advice from a fellow nomad who was also a woman of faith, and a voicemail from my dad, there was suddenly a very different path that God was guiding me down.

I would go to Redding to spend a couple of days with my dad’s cousin, then head to Crescent City, a coastal town just minutes south of the Oregon border.

This was different than what I wanted, different than what I thought was going to happen. And I didn’t like it.

I had grown used to the idea that I was going to be able to just mosey on up into Oregon, so it was a surprise to hear this from God. I didn’t understand why he was taking me this way.

“What if I don’t end up making it to Oregon at all?” a fearful voice inside of me wondered.

Despite the questions and slight fear of the unknown, I knew I would obey God. Not because I felt forced to or because I was afraid that God would punish me if didn’t, but because I love God. I was so grateful to be on this adventure that I’d follow Jesus anywhere. I’d trust him with any path he led me down.

I’ve also disobeyed God enough times to learn exactly why he told me not to do something in the first place. I’ve gone my own way, listened to my own desires only to end up disappointed or hurt or feeling like I’ve wasted a bunch of time.

Through these experiences I’ve realized that God isn’t trying to control me, he gives me directions because he loves me and wants what’s best for me. It’s because of this love that I trust him, even when I don’t understand why he’s telling me to do or not to do something.

Jesus is so good. He wants our love and our trust. He doesn’t want blind submission fueled by fear.

If anyone has ever told you differently, I apologize for any hurt or confusion that may have caused you, because it’s not true. God wants to know you personally, walk alongside you and guide your life. He’ll never force you to do anything. He’s given us free will, and he’s patiently waiting for you to choose him.

When God told me to go this way, I decided to trust him, even when it wasn’t the path I would’ve chosen for myself. I believed that something great would come out of this, even though it wasn’t what I wanted.

Spoiler alert: God knows what’s better for me than I do.

I spent two days recuperating at my dad’s cousin’s house. I didn’t realize how badly I needed the everyday luxuries like taking a shower, doing laundry, washing dishes, and cooking a real meal. I didn’t have to think about where to sleep or eat or try to stay out of the monstrous heat that seemed to be following me everywhere I went. I got to know my distant relatives better and they took me out to a fabulous dinner one night. Those two days were the perfect little reset that had me refreshed and ready to continue on my journey.

Things only got better when I went to the coast. The weather changed drastically, and I gladly welcomed the 40-degree drop in temperature, the overcast skies, the rain. I didn’t realize how drained I was from the endless 100+ degree weather I’d been enduring for weeks.

I slept at one of my favorite spots that I’d discovered two years ago during van life, and it was fun to reflect just how much had changed in two years. I found a sweet little trail right on the coast that gave me all the Olympic National Park vibes. Again, I couldn’t believe how badly I needed this time spent by the sea, exploring some of my favorite landscapes and spending quality time with God.

I continued north along the 101, finally landed in Crescent City, and land I sure did. I stayed nearly four days. My nomad friend Jay-sun recommended a camping spot right on the beach and it was hands down one of my favorite spots I’ve ever stayed at. I was able to spend a fair amount of time working on the blog, I connected with more awesome nomads and I went on a hike in the redwoods.

It was on that hike where I was able to get into the flow with Jesus, the trees dancing and whispering along to the beat of Holy Spirit in my heart. Hiking is my meditation.

As my body works, my mind clears and I’m able to draw close to God, hearing from him in a way that’s deeper, clearer, and usually more profound than in any of my other spiritual practices. Because of an ongoing injury, I hadn’t been able to hike much, so finding a flat trail in my favorite type of environment was such a treat.

Being in this beautiful environment, away from the heat, the people, the stress of life, enabled me to connect deeply with the creator and my soul was recharged. It wasn’t a crazy mountain top, but it was the next best thing and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for this experience.

When God told me it was time to move on and loop back around into Oregon, I understood that he wasn’t leading me away from Oregon, he was leading me to it, just in a roundabout way, like when he led the Israelites out of Egypt. He led them to the Promised Land in a roundabout way to avoid conflict with the Philistines, to keep them safe.

Perhaps there were unseen forces working against me. Maybe I would’ve gotten myself into a situation that was unsafe. There’s no way to know really. But I do know what I would have missed. It’s interesting to look back and see the chain of events and what would’ve happened had I gone my own way.

If I had chosen to go to Crater Lake instead, my entire timeline would’ve been changed. Everything would’ve happened earlier, meaning I wouldn’t have met up with Jay-sun a couple weeks later in Bend, because I would’ve already gone through Bend.

I wouldn’t have been introduced to some truly amazing humans, gone on the adventures with them or made any of the memories that I did. It was divine timing that I met a very special human, who left a mark on my heart forever.

This all happened because I listened to God and followed the path he created for me.

So the next time you feel that nudge, that inner voice telling you to stop and talk to that random person on the street, that inner knowing when something isn’t right or safe, listen. That’s Holy Spirit, trying to direct you on the path of life that he has created for you. For your good. For you to thrive. For you to bring glory to him and his goodness.

I’m so glad I decided to follow God that night. He led me to beautiful places, but he also gave me peace, contentment, and community.  

Take the roundabout way, friend. You won’t regret it.