I can’t quite believe we’ve arrived at Day 31 of Finding Freedom. I also can’t believe that I’ve had so much to say about it. When I began this series, I had huge doubts that I would be able to fill up the space of 31 days with enough words. But the words have arrived right when I needed them, and not a moment before. It’s blessed me to write about this freedom journey. I hope that you’ve been blessed too. I don’t know where you are on the road to finding freedom, but I hope that I’ve come beside you and met you somewhere along the way.
Yesterday, I ran the Lucerne Half Marathon. While I ran, in an effort to keep my mind off of my burning thighs, I was thinking about this post, our last. There were a number of spectators out along the sidelines cheering for the runners, clanging cow bells, and raising signs. Many chanted ‘Hopp, Hopp’ which to my American ears sounded a lot like ‘Hope, Hope’. It was exactly what one needs to hear when everything inside is yelling ‘Stop, Stop’.
At one point in the race, the street path diverted into a mile long tunnel. We entered it to the low, soulful sound of alphorns playing. It was dimly lit, and every 100 meters or so, there would be a lone spectator shouting ‘Hopp, Hopp, Hopp’. As I ran, the sound of the alphorns and the shout of Hope reverberated and echoed throughout the tunnel. And it reminded me that regardless of where we are in our journey to freedom, there is a symphony of hope that surrounds us. It becomes especially clear in the dimly lit places where the light at the end might be miles out. But we know it’s there.
Tune in to the sound of hope. It will see you through the dark places, the ones that burn and ache from your efforts. Train your ears to hear hope when everything inside you wants to give up.
We exited the tunnel to sun and a gust of fresh air. All I heard was the slap of my feet on the pavement, calling me forward, to freedom.
