“Do you trust me?”, I was asked atop Highcliffe Nab. Peering down into the darkness, wind blowing at a steady pace, knees locked, fists clinched, I didn’t know.

A walk around the face of a 1000 foot cliff on a four foot path in the dark, with the promise of a spectacular view. But more importantly, a haven from the elements, and a place to conclude conversations that had been ongoing for six years.

Was this a test? Absolutely, I was sure it was. My mind was racing and asking if I could do it. Deathly afraid of heights, particularly at night, back and forth the yes’s and no’s battled with my soul. And I heard the question again. Do you trust me?

That question. I can’t believe he was asking that. I’ve only been asked that question from above, from Papa. It’s been asked of me many times in my life, but always from God. I’ve always struggled with it. And most times after much panic and restlessness, I’ve given in and said yes….then walked forward with a peace. Always with a peace. But that was from Papa…from God.

This “do you trust me” was from a human. A fallible, sinful, fallen human, yet to make his first step of trust with Papa. And hear he was asking me the same question that Papa always asks…..Do you trust me?

My reply to the human was the same as it has been with Papa. “I do, but I need you to show me the way and shine the light.” Yes, that was the answer. Always has been, always will.

Without hesitation the human pulled out his phone and turned on the flashlight. Two others with us followed suit, and the path illuminated. The lights from their phones were so bright I couldn’t see anything but the path…the way.

I crawled on my hands and knees, that was the only way I could do it. The path was only four foot wide, and 1000 feet was a long way to fall. With the reassuring light, I inched foot by foot and finally made it around to the front of the mountain. The human was right. It was safe.

A natural alcove had been perfectly carved out by nature and once safely seated, the view of the community was spectacular. A community we’ve come to know, embrace and love. A community who has reciprocated and loved us back.

And there high on that rocky cliff, Papa prompted me, “Ask the same question of them, Do you trust me?”

You see for six years we have been coming to this community. Traveling “across the pond” to England, to Guisborough, we’ve been planting seeds each year and have been waiting to see growth. We have had countless hours of conversation about Papa…..His creation, the fall, our human futility and finally our Redemption through Christ. But nothing yet. No movement.

Sometimes Papa is slow to move according to our understanding of time. But His timing is perfect, and I do trust him. Even in my doubts, I still trust. And on this night He was speaking to me in this place like He never had before. “Ask them the same question, Do you trust me.” So I did.

“Hey guys, do you trust me?” Without hesitation the answer was “yes.”

“Well if you trust me, then I feel like Papa is telling me to ask you the same question of Him”. My partner in Christ confirmed it when he said, “Yeah, I think you guys are ready.” And they were.

We decided to leave the safety of the alcove and go back around the cliff and hike up to the top overlooking Guisborough. I had to have the safety of the light on the path again to lead the way.

Once on top, I explained to them that following Papa was just like me trusting them as they lit up the path with light to lead me to safety. I reminded them that with their decision to follow Papa, the light would always be there to guide them as well.

We all got on our knees, and with a strong wind overlooking our Guisborough community we prayed to Papa. And there on Highcliffe Nab three young men decided to trust Christ with their lives and gave themselves to Him.

And as we stood up, the humans were new beings. The weight of the old life had been taken away and replace with new life. Six years of friendships, conversations and questions all wrapped up high on top of the world in North Yorkshire England.

So you see, that’s why we come here, to this community called Guisborough…here in England. Papa has placed us here for a reason. This story happened last year, in 2017. We are back now for our seventh year here in 2018. Please pray for our team.

There are many more conversations to be had, many more questions to be answered, and many more humans here who need to answer the question of Papa….”Do you trust me?”

Peace

Greg Meek