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image by airphotona.com

image by airphotona.com

Born to be Wild, Living Mild

Tim Riter December 8, 2014

Every choice changes our direction. We examine our options, weigh the cost/benefit ratio, and decide. Yet confidence in the benefit doesn’t eliminate regrets over the cost. A major part of spiritual formation flows from accepting that tension, and not allowing regrets to eat at our soul. Some of my best decisions have had the highest costs, but I don’t want to reset my life. Well, a little. But not enough.

 ”Men’s Journal”

Some anonymous friend

            knowing my soul

gave me sub to a men’s adventure magazine

            no racy pics

            just kayaking killer rapids

climbing mountains that kiss the stratosphere

the latest and best gear

            to go anywhere

to do anything

                        money no object

 Perhaps the pics would have been more safe

 For memories of youthful adventure flooded back

            solo cross-country motorcycle trips

                        no destination but the ever-expanding horizon

            rappelling down a 190 foot bridge tower

                        on a 110 foot rope

            climbing cliffs

                        with no rope at all

            ready to go

                        anywhere, anytime

 Sparking regrets

            of too many years

            with too few adventures

                        facing only hostile church boards

                        partners in ministry

                        paying bills

                                    on a small church pastor’s salary

                        getting along

                                    getting by

 Decades lost

            to the adventure

                        that feeds my soul

Yeah, I have regrets, but I don’t regret the decision. Does that make sense? Rather than merely feeding my own soul, I opted to also feed others. I’ve not fully lived the wild, but not particularly the mild all the time either. Still doing solo backcountry fishing trips. Motorcycle tours hitting 43 states and three countries. And yes, those church boards.

 But I’ve been privileged to use any gifts I have to touch others, and I cherish that, like Mary, who chose the greater good (Luke 10:38-42). Obviously, the life of adventure beckons me. Yes, the pic above is of the Rio Grande Gorge, where four of us descended the 190’ft. pillar and iron work column on the right, on a 110’ ft. rope. I’d love to do that again. I’d love to once more have a season pass at Taos Ski Valley. But, I wouldn’t go back to that life.

 Following Jesus means we live the life he desires we lead, the one that best allows us to serve his mission with who we are. So, we come to the question: What can we do to best serve him? And, once we’ve chosen, let’s remember we made the best choice. The lesser choice isn’t particularly a bad one. It’s just not the best. For me, I had to leave behind some of the adventure. Others may need to abandon some of their need for security. Or comfort. Or financial success. Or…

 Kick Starting the Application

 What is the life that God most desires for you? How do you know that’s his optimum for you? What benefits will it bring? What costs will it have? How will you handle regrets over the cost, and they will come? Will you be able to own the regrets and still own the greater good? How?

InPoetry TagsTaos, Adventure, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Choices, Regrets, Spiritual Formation
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TimGlacierMcDonald.jpg

A bit of an unreconstructed Jesus freak. Almost old enough to have known him when he walked this world. About 27 on the inside. Investing his life in university and teen students. Inveterate cross country motorcycle rider. Nature lover. Entranced with the power of written and spoken words. Still learning.

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