adventure
Twenty years ago, kayaking along the Na Pali coastline in Kauai was ranked the second best American adventure on the top 100 list by National Geographic, surpassed only by white-water rafting through the Grand Canyon. When we found ourselves honeymooning in Hawaii, the nature-loving, adventure-seeking side of my personality bloomed into an unstoppable force as I vivaciously persuaded my husband to say yes to the kayak tour. Brian may have had his reservations about the day long, open-ocean paddle trip, but I’m convinced he was still so besotted with his energetic young wife that he could not possibly deny me this pleasure!
The seventeen miles of blue skies, radiant water and tropical mountains crashing into the sea did not disappoint. We encountered the most stunning scenery I have ever seen in my life. This rugged coastline is perhaps the single most beautiful sight in Hawaii—sea cliffs etched by pounding winter surf year after year, caves carved by the same breakers, waterfalls streaming haphazardly to the ocean, mountain goats dotting land that is nearly impassable to human foot traffic.
The ocean itself is a sight to behold. The magnificent clarity reaches to the deeps, while the vibrant turquoise hue speaks of beauty so profound only God Himself could be the author. Brian and I encountered dolphins that swam beside our kayak, playfully speeding ahead to perform spectacular aerial acrobatics just yards in front of us. Giant sea turtles were within arm’s reach. The adventure certainly exceeded every expectation we had, but it was not without risk.
Prior to beginning the voyage, we were encouraged to take Dramamine, an anti-nausea agent, as we would be encountering significant ocean swells. We also needed to listen carefully to our guide’s instructions if we desired to navigate any of the sea caves without incident, namely crashing into deadly rock formations or being swept out to sea by an errant, swift-flowing current. In short, if we desired to partake in this unparalleled adventure, we had to assume the risks of seasickness and physical danger.
I recently heard someone on a podcast say, “Life is an adventurous pilgrimage to heaven.” I cannot, for the life of me, recall who it was or even what podcast he was on, but I have scoured the internet trying to discover the enigmatic source. Though I have been hopelessly unsuccessful at pinpointing the speaker, I did run across a similar quote by Warren Wiersbe, “The Christian life is a pilgrimage from earth to heaven, and our task is to take as many as possible with us as we make this journey.”[1]
The idea of life as a journey is far from new, and it is certainly not relegated to Christian circles alone. We have all heard the quote, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” This well-worn adage has been attributed to transcendental philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, although its exact origin is under debate. The concept only falls under the umbrella of Christian ideology when it is elaborated by believers such as Wiersbe. He specifies that the journey is of a specific type, one undertaken by a devoted follower of Christ who knows that his earthly existence culminates in an unending life in the holiest of places—heaven. Along the way, believers are to fulfill the great commission Jesus placed on their lives when he said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Mt. 28:18-20).
When the mystery podcast guest threw the word “adventurous” into the equation, he added a novel spin to the traditional axiom that the Christian life is a journey toward heaven. The focus on the adventure of life is often lost on many well-meaning believers. We tend to seek safety in the known, security in our duty, and reassurance in the sanctuary of our faith. These are all good—we should rest assured in the grace so lovingly bestowed upon us by Christ, but we must then externalize that internal truth so that we can adventurously embark upon the unique path laid before each one of us. If I only internalize God’s precious gift, how can I truly live the life of freedom that inevitably introduces both risk and joy?
The grit of the matter is that we will be unable to “take as many as possible with us” if our lives are so stodgy and lacking in adventure that our witness to the world is more focused on following the rules religiously rather than basking in the God-given beauty around us, taking chances and using our creativity to advance the kingdom. By definition, adventure involves risk. Along the journey, we will encounter perils, hazards, and threats to our safety, but I am convinced that God calls us to live courageously. We are to boldly face the challenges ahead, enjoying the delights of the adventure that come despite the dangers. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7 NKJV).
Anyone who enjoys the thrill of skiing down a mountainside must also face the risk of injury. Embarking on a kayaking excursion along the Na Pali coast or a white-water rafting adventure down the Colorado River requires signing a document, personally accepting all risk to life and limb. Even hopping on a roller-coaster assumes the risk that you might be suspended upside-down for longer than anticipated or perhaps walk away from the beast with a pounding headache! Adventure assumes risk, yet as Christians we often try to minimize risk so much that we might actually be squelching the joy set before us.
Adventure in the Christian life does not have to be as extreme as bungee jumping off High Steel Bridge in Washington State, attempting to reach the summit of Mount Everest, sky diving from 3000 feet above ground, or free soloing El Capitan like renowned rock climber Alex Honnold.[2] Adventure can simply be “an exciting or remarkable experience.”[3] It can be found in our daily lives, during a leisurely hike through the forest or the search for a new job. Perhaps you are confined to a wheelchair or suffer from a handicap. Adventure can take the form of an animated conversation with a co-worker or a bus tour of accessible sites in Washington D.C. Any situation that introduces risk, whether it be an emotional risk or a physical risk, can be fodder for the great adventure that is your life in Christ.
Jesus himself knows we will encounter risk. In Mt.16:24-25, he says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” If that is not risk, I don’t know what is! In the very same breath, Jesus safeguards the risk with a promise when he declares, “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done” (v. 27).
God does not ask us to throw caution to the wind as we embark on our “adventurous pilgrimage to heaven.” As Prov. 22:3 says, “The prudent sees danger and takes refuge” (NIV). At the same time, He does ask us to boldly step out in faith. Think of the remarkable quest Abram undertook when he abandoned all that was familiar in order to obey God or the wonders the Israelites were privileged to behold when God led them out of Egypt.
Before you leave and get on with your day, let’s revisit Kauai for just a moment. When Brian and I returned to the hotel after our great adventure, I discovered my untouched Dramamine tablets on the countertop, and I instantly understood why nausea had overshadowed a significant portion of our journey! Even with that tremendous hardship, I can tell the tale twenty years later with only the slightest recollection of the discomfort that plagued my gut. Instead, my memory is overwhelmed by the majesty we discovered along the way.
If you and I have the opportunity at the end of our earthly days to reflect upon our individual journeys of faith, I pray that we will stand in awe at the majesty we discovered along God’s way, as the struggles fade into oblivion. Honestly though, we do not have to wait until our dying days to find joy in the adventure. As the old hymn says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in his wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of his glory and grace.”[4]
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[1] Who Am I? New Testament Pictures of the Christian Life
[2] Free Solo documentary
[3] Merriam-Webster app
[4] Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Helen Lemmel
