Campus Ministry

By Adam Cartwright

When I first heard about the opportunity to journey on El Camino de Santiago, I was originally drawn to the adventure of the trip. I did not know very much about pilgrimage of any sort at that point. Through the class in the spring and over the 160 miles walked in 13 days across Spain I came to discover a deeper spirituality within myself that was life changing. I learned how to simply be in the presence of Christ. Recognizing God as ever present was profound, making even the smallest moments incredibly important. I realized that God is present to us not only when we pray but even when we are turned away from Him in sin. 

There is a tradition of carrying a stone from home and placing it at the foot of Cruz de Ferro (the Iron Cross.)  The stone I carried with me had Colossians 3:17 etched on one side. “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”. I realized the weight of choosing the Christian life, the weight of considering myself a follower of Jesus. Nothing is too small or insignificant to God, whether it be sin or virtue. Everything should be done according to the will of God and striving to achieve His standard of perfection, even as difficult as that might seem. 

Another aspect of the Camino that deepened my spirituality was my contemplation of the path of Judas who betrayed Christ. While I hope that I never sink to his level, I recognize that I do turn away from Christ any time I choose sin or other worldly desires instead of Christ. This contemplation was very revealing and the realizations cut deeply. I can’t count the times I’ve turned away from Christ with my thoughts, words, or deeds. 

Why would these realizations along with a recognition of God’s perfect standard deepen my spirituality? It is because Christ died on the cross to pay the price for my sins and the sins of the world. I know how much I need God’s mercy and grace. There is no good I can do without it. It is the only reason I have hope. The Camino showed me that I need God every second of my life. It taught me how to be more aware of Christ’s presence and how to rely on His grace. 

The toughest day I had on the Camino was a fifteen-mile walk, four days before we reached Santiago. With roughly three miles of walking left that afternoon, I found myself with no strength to continue. At that moment I did the only thing I could: I bowed my head and prayed Jesus would give me the strength to finish the journey. I felt a rush of energy and strength as I said “Amen”. Christ carried me through that day and every other day. Through the tough times the Camino left me totally abandoned to Christ, relying on His strength for my every step, with nowhere to turn but to the One who could set me free. Jesus is my Lord, my savior, my redeemer, my strength, my everything. I owe Him El Camino. I owe Him my life.

God is present in every moment, and with every moment I have the choice to follow Christ and glorify His name, or to follow my own path and desires which lead only to my downfall. The transforming power of the Holy Spirit has led me to choose the former, and it is my prayer that my spirituality and encounters with God in everyday moments may continue long after my experience on the Camino.