Is it just me or is everybody thirsty for adventure? I scroll through social media and I see people hiking, their outfit is on point, you know, perfectly scuffed boots, flannel, and jeans ripped, but not through wear & tear... by hand... like handcrafted. The wind is blowing just the right direction and with the right amount of force to perfectly frame the hikers face in a way that says, I am here conquering nature, but I also effortlessly look AMAZING while doing, and without breaking a sweat.
Maybe you've seen the perfectly profiled campsite, with the Aeropress on hand for a perfect shot of espresso, the Jeep is strategically placed, and all of the camping gear looks incredibly preserved... like how do you make your camp gear look brand new like that?
*Hint: it is brand new*
I mean we've all seen it. If we are being really honest, we may have even aspired to it. If I'm being really real, I'm guilty. It may not be a campsite, but I've staged a shot to help capture my moment, even though the fact that I've just staged it literally means I captured a moment but not the moment that I'm trying to represent.
So the question I have is, are we really desperate for adventure or are we desperate for a great post on social?
Real adventure requires risk. Real adventure hurts. Real adventure is a step-of-faith, get your hands dirty kind of proposition, which often requires blood, sweat and tears, and not the handcrafted variety. Adventure at its core is terrifying.
I don't want to rip on any one because I am guilty as charged, but it leads us to a deeper discussion. I believe that the reason we are so desperate for insta-adventure is because we are desperate to find our purpose.
Did you know that the greatest adventure that you could ever live is your own life? I wholeheartedly believe that you were handcrafted, a masterpiece, created to live a life of purpose. Created to live a life of adventure. But instead of finding that adventure in a cloud of colored smoke, you can find that adventure by doing the most insane thing possible. Take your hands off the steering wheel.
Of course, I don't mean that literally. Take the hands off the steering wheel of your life. You were created for a purpose but you were also created for relationship, relationship with the Creator of the creation of which you sojourn in your Subaru to capture on your DSLR.
Trust is adventure. Trust is risk... and get this trust can hurt.
The stakes are high... like your whole life kind of high. But the reward attached to this kind of risk is eternal.
Let me cut to the chase. I believe there is no greater adventure in life than trusting Jesus. It's simple, but it isn't easy. It's a journey that takes you through the valley of the shadow of death of selfishness, self-righteousness & ego. It takes you to the heights of self-awareness and leads you onto a path illuminated by truth.
The truth is, you may be dissatisfied right now, but that's because you are going your own way. You trusted you to lead you through and when you get stuck you ask you how you are going to get out of this one. But there is one who is an anchor for your soul, a sure foundation for your life, a lamp for your feet. Fuelled by faith and powered by hope, you discover that though your tendency has been to lean on you, your smarts, your life experience, your gifts, talents, and abilities, their is one who is higher, there is one who is greater, there is one who is the lifter of your head, who is the arm outstretched to lift you out of the very pit that you dug for yourself by always, only trusting in your own ability to save yourself.
So you can go your own way, but so far, that has lead you to this point. So why not take a risk, start a new adventure and try taking your hands off the wheel, trusting in something, more specifically, someone, who's ways and thoughts are higher than yours?
I call this adventure HOPE. Because I have discovered, that HOPE has a name, HOPE has a face, HOPE is within reach, HOPE gives me purpose, HOPE is an adventure, HOPE is just around the corner, and let's be honest... HOPE LOOKS GOOD ON YOU
Now here's some pictures of beautiful people doing adventurous things to help you digest this thought... enjoy!
Brett Esslinger is a Husband, Dad, Son, Brother, Pastor, Speaker, Leader, Writer whose life goal is to help people unlock their potential and fulfill their life's purpose.
Brett is the founder of Engage City Church & the Author of #HopeNotHype
