I have three words for you: Hot. Air. Balloon.
Don’t worry, I’m not referring to any particular political individual(s) in the headlines these days (I’ll let you come to your own conclusions on that one). I’m actually talking about hot air balloons! Floating like a cloud hundreds of feet above ground, dipping down gracefully into valleys, then rising above the treetops like the morning sun rises on the horizon! Yes – it is magical! Unless you’re scared of heights and balloons. Then this would be a complete nightmare for you. (If this is you, then I totally understand if you want to stop reading and go to another blog. Perhaps one about bowling? But I digress…)
As luck would have it, we just happen to be in a country that boasts one of the best areas to go hot air ballooning in: Cappadocia! With its distinctive rock formations, lush vineyard valleys, and clear skies for miles, it is no wonder why many, if not most, travel websites list it as one of the top ten places in the world to ride in a hot air balloon!
I’d like to put a verse into this picture of hot air ballooning:
2 Peter 3:9
If you actually need to get somewhere, a hot air balloon is a fairly impractical method. You can’t really steer it, and it only travels as fast as the wind blows. But if you simply want to enjoy the experience of flying, there’s nothing quite like it. Many people describe flying in a hot air balloon as one of the most serene, enjoyable activities they’ve ever experienced.1
In a way, this can be a good description of our ministry. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t use this to describe all ministry all the time! There are definitely seasons where the Holy Spirit blasts us off into incredible experiences at the speed of light! But there are definitely times when we may feel like we’re drifting, not sure where we’re headed, when we will land, or if we’re making any progress.
Cappadocia not only offers incredible tours above ground, but also below! Over 30 underground settlements have been discovered which were used as hiding places for the first Christians. During the early periods of Christianity, the first followers of Jesus and his apostles settled in the area to hide from the soldiers of Roman Empire. It is known that St. Paul was looking for a secure place after expelled from Jerusalem. He came to Cappadocia and established the first Christian colony in this region with his followers.2 We also see Peter make mention of these people in 1 Peter 1:1:
Again, there is a picture here of a time where there is not a lot of movement. But it was in these years spent underground that the roots of what we believe and celebrate today took hold!
All in all, the big picture here is that even in times when there seems to be little or no movement, and that our efforts aren’t even making a ripple in a pond, there is peace, security, and even beauty, in the flow of God’s sovereignty!
Now, if you’re wondering if we went for a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, well, see for yourself!
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