“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.”

Exodus 13:21-22

Victoria Falls sits on the boarder of Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is considered the largest waterfall in the world. It is twice as tall as Niagara Falls. Five million cubic meters of water pass over the falls every minute—that’s a lot of water! These falls are one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. I’d love to see them with my own eyes one day.

And, if I do, I’m swimming in the Devil’s Pool. 

The Devil’s Pool? What’s that you ask? It is a swimming hole at the top of the falls. It goes right up to the edge of the falls. Inches away from plummeting 345ft to your death. Devil’s Pool seems like an appropriate name for this swimming hole. You can swim to the edge, extend your hand beyond the safety of the pool, and live the ultimate thrill seeker’s adventure. 

Would you swim at the top of the falls?

Well, you can’t do it by yourself. It’s impossible to get there without the tour guide that sponsors the trip. Tongabezi safari tours are the licensed operators of the Devil’s Fall plunge. You can’t get there by yourself. Which is a really good thing. They are the ones who have the professionals that know the ins and outs of the pool. They know where the Devil’s Armchair is—a safe place to sit near the edge of the precipice of the falls. The guides ensure your safety. But, they also get your right up to the edge of it all. They are the ones who give you the thrill, all the while ensuring you don’t take the “no rope bungee jump.” 

Perhaps heights aren’t your thing. Maybe this is too much for you. I’d jump at the chance—but, I’m also sitting over 8,000 miles away from the falls. It’s easy to talk a big game from here!

Even still, there is something to be said about finding a guide in this life who can help you get the most out of it. Someone who has your safety in mind, but also wants to help you experience unforgettable things and have amazing experiences. Not just as you travel to distant places, but as you walk through your ordinary days. 

Do you have a guide? Someone who has been through things before and can help you know where to put your feet when you’re walking across the tricky terrain of relationships. Or someone who can swim out ahead of you, get in position, and ensure that if you loose your footing they are they to catch you. As it relates to work or decisions, or opportunities. 

Guides are amazing at helping you get the most out of experiences. They give you facts and details. They draw your eyes to see things that you would have missed had they not been there to offer their wisdom. Guides ensure your are safe—or at least as safe as you can be swimming inches from the edge of the largest waterfall in the world. 

The local name for Victoria Falls is Mosi-oa-Tunya. It is the Lozi language of the local area. Translated, this name means The Smoke that Thunders. Undoubtably, this name is derived by the fact that the mist from the falls can be seen from 50km away. The smoke that Thunders—imagine the noise of these falls and the impact it makes. It’s one of the few places you can see a moon bow, that is a rainbow at night in the reflection of the moon.

My hope is that you have a mentor in your life. A bunch of mentors in fact. People who are ahead of you. Friends and trusted experts who help you and guide you. Some of the most important relationships in my life are those who have mentored me and helped me grow, excel, and experience the best life has to offer.

I also hope that you have a protégée. A apprentice that you are pouring into and helping them get ahead. I hope that you are guiding and directing people on how to safely swim to the edge of the falls. If you’ve done it, find the ultimate joy in helping others experience it too. 

Honestly, I don’t think there is enough of this in the Body of Christ. 

Of course, the beauty of all this is we have the greatest guide that has ever been. Like the Israelites, we follow the lead of the pillar of the cloud and the pillar of fire. This is the Holy Spirit. This is His role in your life. To take you on a journey of experience and growth. To bring you up to the precipice. To offer you moments when your heart skips a beat and moments when your heart is full with the goodness of life. This is your guide. 

The problem is, I’m not always the best listener. Sure, I listen to safety briefs when I’m swimming at the top of a 300+ foot waterfall (or at least I like to think I’d listen). But I’m less likely to listen to a briefing on an average Tuesday. I fall, too often, into the trap of thinking I don’t need a guide. I can do it better on my own. Boy am I wrong.

Come, Holy Spirit. Speak, lead, and guide me. For, I want to experience all that you have for me. 

Who is a guide in your life? And who is your apprentice?