How do we balance personal adventure and serving others?
Before every bike trip, I pop on Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild.” Loud. “Get your motor runnin’, head out on the highway, looking for adventure…” My soul needs adventure, to test myself, to move beyond fears. Riding comes with risks, but few choices match the selfishness of adventure seeking. As we grow closer to Jesus, we face that tension—how can we feed our souls and touch other’s lives for the kingdom?
”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 hostile church boards
partners in ministry
paying bills
getting along
getting by
Decades lost
to the adventure
that feeds my soul
The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge tower is above, and in one of the most adventure-packed periods in my life, I changed direction and opted for responsibility. For ministry. For moving away from self-gratification to God-gratification. Yeah, I have some regrets, but I wouldn’t change that decision. Two truths have helped me. First, adventure and risk and an unknown future are normal in following Jesus. He challenged four businessmen to follow, and “At once they left their nets and followed him” (Matthew 4:17-20
Jesus mades this normative, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God’” (Luke 9:61-62). That’s hard core—jump on the ride and don’t look back.
I may not fully lived the wild, but it’s not particularly been mild all the time either. Still doing solo backcountry fishing trips. Motorcycle tours have hit 50 states and three countries. An Iron Butt ride of 1,000 miles in 16 hours at 70 years.
I’ve been privileged to touch others, and I cherish that. You see, we only maximize our potential when we give our lives to serving. “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:26-28).
Following Jesus means we live the life he desires we lead. What can we do to best serve him? And remember we made the best choice. The choice for the adventure and thrills and future uncertainty that always accompany Jesus. 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 value do you place on adventure and challenges? On the continuum of personal adventure or serving God, where do you land? Do you get a nudge from God to move a bit?
What life does God most desire for you?