Confession: I am not an adventure-seeking person, but I like an adventure. You will never find me rock climbing, cliff jumping or sleeping in a yurt on the side of a mountain. Mountain biking, ziplining, parasailing, swimming with sharks? No thanks.
Some of you may be itching to be so daring. Your bucket list is filled with thrill-inducing adventure. I prefer less intense adventures. And with the exception of airplanes, anything that has to do with heights is not even an option for me. But I really do love going places, experiencing new things, new cultures, meeting new people, and I can be a little adventurous with trying new foods. With the exception of things like octopus or bugs, I’m game at least once.
While my adventures are not risky, thrill-seeking quests, my life is filled with amazing adventures. It’s not an adrenaline junky bucket list lifestyle, but still adventurous and a life that many may not find in their comfort zone to live.
Adventure brings a swell of blessings and joy to my heart as I explore and marvel at the splendor of what God has created. And I am blessed getting to share these adventures with my boys. I want them to be filled with wonder and delight too. Of course, I want them to experience all the fun life has to offer, but more than anything I want to teach them to step confidently into the unknown whether in location or vocation, and pursue the passion God has put in their heart.
So why am I telling you this?
Because you were meant to live a life of adventure too!
You were meant to live a life of adventure!
Being adventurous is more about stepping out of your comfort zone than anything else.
In fact, Wikipedia defines adventure as “an exciting experience that is typically bold, sometimes a risky undertaking. Adventures may be activities with some potential for physical danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or participating in extreme sports. Adventures are often undertaken to create psychological arousal in order to achieve a greater goal such as the pursuit of knowledge that can only be obtained in a risky manner.”
So let me ask you…
Do you live an adventurous life?
How do you live adventurously? Why do you do it?
Did you know that God wants you to live adventurously?
Yes, God has called us, each one of us, to live a life of adventure!
Maybe that adventure looks like starting a business, writing a book, moving to a different state (or country). Maybe it’s calling you to look beyond the fears that you have allowed to hold you back in your relationships with others. Maybe he’s calling you to ministry or to step up how you serve others. Maybe you have no idea what that adventure may entail, but you feel God stirring your heart to move.
Are you willing to take an adventure with God?
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
When we go to him with an open heart and trust him to guide us, we are saying, “Yes, Lord! I trust in your plan for my life. I may have no idea what’s about to happen, but I know you and I know you will never leave me. I surrender my will to yours. It may be scary, but I will have no fear because you are with me. Let’s do this!”
And then, where God leads you, follow with childlike faith. We can have confidence knowing that when we trust in him he may take us on an adventure that will change who we are, change how we see the world around us, and may take us beyond our comfort zone.
But his adventure is far more fulfilling and incredible than you or I could ever imagine.
So go. Take God’s hand. Be brave. And live adventurously!
Alisha Carlson
Please join Alisha on her podcast, Real Mom Talk, as she shares more of her family’s travel adventures and challenges you to dig deeper into living the adventurous life God has called you to. Real Mom Talk is a tell-it-like-it-is show that brings a little sanity, help, and humor to the insanity we feel as a mom. We dive into topics like, “Why on earth am I so overwhelmed?!” along with anger, anxiety, overcoming personal struggles, and parenting challenges.
