So much to this phrase, yet so much that's misunderstood.
I love adventuring. I love experiencing different smells, foods, cultures, experiences, and changes. There's something about exploring something new and joyfully embracing every sensation and detail it has to offer. There's something about fresh new journeys that open your eyes to the beauty of this diverse and creatively made universe that than our eyes will ever be able to see.
I love that our generation is one of adventure-seeking. But, I see people all the time, including me at times, that seek adventure for the wrong purposes, such as finding satisfaction or bragging rights. It's almost like our culture tells us that if we do not seek traveling and adventuring 24/7, we don't have a life worth living. You are boring if you don't travel whenever you get the chance. You are boring if you do not post on Instagram every day of some new adventure. You are nobody if you do not do something extraordinary.
If we find our satisfaction in adventuring, it will quickly fail us. Even if we got to travel the world, we still would not find satisfaction. That satisfaction in life only comes through Jesus. He is the only one that can deeply satisfy us. Not only do we find satisfaction in Him, but He is already satisfied with us. We do not have to have the approval of others or even ourselves.
We tend to compare ourselves with each other as we adventure through our day. Comparison is the thief of joy. When we compare our current circumstances with others, that is when we lose that satisfaction; We take our eyes of the deep satisfaction we have in Jesus, and put it into comparing ourselves.
So how do we be a lover of adventure but seek Jesus at the same time? I believe God created us to love adventure. But, I believe these adventures are to point us closer to the Creator and His creation, not our own achievements. How often do we put the focus on us accomplishing the journey, rather than the journey itself? Yes, I believe it is healthy to travel and experience new things, but adventure is so often misunderstood as only doing something extraordinary and far from home. But, the extraordinary is found all around us. I think adventure is found in the everyday things we get to experience. The problem is that we don't let those things become adventures. They are only monotonous duties or scenes to us. What if our point of view changed? What if we saw the things all around us as adventures? What if we changed our perspective when things go wrong and see them as new journeys? What if we experienced life to its fullest and saw seemingly monotonous things as adventures? What if we let Jesus show His glory through what we see as a common flower, simple sunset, simple conversation, and simple landscape. What if we allowed the Lord to open our eyes? If we allow Him to, our life transforms into one of pure, life-giving adventure.
Yes, I deeply enjoy new places, countries, languages, and scenery. I believe the Lord wants us to see His creation. I am a seeker of adventure. But, I want to use adventures to seek my Jesus. I used to think adventures were only found through traveling. Now, I know adventures are also in the everyday things. Adventures are found in the moments when you drive to the tallest hill in your neighborhood and watch the sunset. Adventures are found in starting a campfire when it keeps failing. Adventures are found in walking barefoot outside, experiencing the softness of the grass and the perfect breeze. Adventures are found in having a dance party in the pouring rain. Adventures are found in going for a walk and not focusing on a destination, but the exploration waiting for you. Adventures are found in listening to stories of friends from other countries and even friends that have lived in the same house their whole life. Adventures are found in laying in a hammock, getting lost in your imagination, while reading a book. Adventures are found in seeing things as if you had never seen them before.
Adventuring is less about doing and more about experiencing.
This summer I have gotten to go kayaking (with the "occasional alligator"), camping, go to the lake, and others. But, my favorite adventures were found in the simple things that nobody else would have seen as an adventure, such as setting up our borrowed tent in the dark, while hanging up twinkle lights (a camping must) and attempting to start a campfire, and experiencing the water that splashes you while kayaking. Another one
was when it was pouring the whole day while I nannied, so we decided to go have a dance party in the pouring rain, and simply enjoy the moment. One of my other favorites was taking one of the girls I nanny to the flower nursery to simply marvel at the Lord's creativity and pure beauty. I don't think I have ever gone to a flower nursery without the intent of buying anything. My favorite part about it was hearing the 7 year old I nanny say, "Wow! Look at all these colors the Lord made. Aren't these cool?!" The key to adventure is allowing the Lord to open your eyes to see the adventures all around us, that we only see as monotony. True adventure creates pure delight in the Creator. Adventure is out there. Will you dare to see it?
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