A Reflection from Isla Mujeres
We’d had enough. Enough of the cold. Enough of the snow. Enough of shoveling, scraping windshields, and layering up just to step outside. So, we packed our bags, left Duluth behind, and headed south to Cancun.
Stepping off the plane, the first thing that hit us was the warmth. No more frozen fingers or breath hanging in the air—just sun, palm trees, and ocean. And apparently, we weren’t the only ones desperate for a climate shift. A few rows ahead of us, a woman stood up mid-flight, shimmied out of her sweatpants—revealing that she had her shorts on underneath—and swapped her shoes for sandals right there in the aisle. Pure commitment to leaving winter behind. Honestly, I respected it.
Isla Mujeres
One of the best parts of the trip was taking the ferry to Isla Mujeres. There’s something about that ride—the water is impossibly blue, the breeze is perfect, and for a few minutes, life slows down. When we docked, the island had a completely different feel from Cancun. Golf carts zipped around, the streets were lined with colorful buildings, and it felt like a place that invites you to take your time.
Hailey’s Burrito Tour
Food is always a big part of any trip, and for Hailey, this one became all about burritos. I’m not sure how it started, but every meal turned into a burrito hunt. And not just any burritos—the best burritos. I think she succeeded. Watching her light up every time she found a new favorite reminded me how easy it is to find joy in the little things.
A Quiet Morning at Punta Sur
One morning, while Venessa and Hailey stayed in bed, I decided to take off on my own and explore. I hopped in a golf cart and made my way down to Punta Sur, the southernmost point of the island. Driving through Isla Mujeres before the day really got going was peaceful. The streets were quieter, the air was cool, and the sun was just starting to climb.
When I got to Punta Sur, I parked and walked the path along the cliffs. The waves crashed against the rocks below, the wind was strong, and the vastness of the ocean stretched out in front of me. Standing there alone, looking out at all of it, I was reminded how small we are—and how big God is.
The History of Punta Sur
Punta Sur is not just the most breathtaking spot on Isla Mujeres; it’s also one of the most historically and spiritually significant places in the region. The site was once an important part of Mayan civilization, home to a temple dedicated to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of fertility, the moon, and healing. The temple, built atop the cliffs, served as both a shrine and a lighthouse for ancient Mayan traders navigating the Caribbean waters.
The Mayans believed Ixchel controlled the tides and had the power to bless or withhold fertility, making this temple a major pilgrimage site, especially for women. Though time and hurricanes have reduced it to ruins, its foundation still remains—an enduring reminder that from the earliest civilizations, people have been drawn to worship.
We Always Worship What We Find Worthy
Standing there, I thought about that instinct we all have—to reach for something greater. Even when people didn’t fully understand what they were looking for, they still built temples, they still prayed, they still longed for connection with something beyond themselves. That hasn’t changed. We always worship whatever we find worthy.
For some, it’s success, power, or approval. For others, it’s security, comfort, or relationships. Worship isn’t just something that happens in a church service—it’s whatever captures our hearts, whatever we’re willing to sacrifice for. The question isn’t if we worship, but what we worship.
That’s why the psalmist’s words hit so deep:
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”
(Psalm 42:1-2)
Paul saw this same desire when he spoke in Athens, surrounded by altars to unknown gods:
“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” (Acts 17:26-27)
Even when people don’t realize who they’re searching for, their hearts are still wired for worship. The question is, will we worship the One who is truly worthy?
Now, back in Duluth, the cold is still here. The snow still needs shoveling, and the wind still bites. But something is different. Maybe it’s the perspective shift that comes from stepping away for a while. Maybe it’s the reminder that worship isn’t tied to a place—it’s a way of life.
The warmth of Mexico may have faded, but the truth remains: We were made to worship. And no matter where we are—on a sunlit beach, in the middle of winter, or anywhere in between—God is near.
You can watch a short video from our trip here: