This is quite possibly my favorite word in the dictionary. I haven't been able get it out of my head or heart lately. I note two important elements in the above definition that are essential to adventure: RISK and UNCERTAINTY.
Something in the human condition loves the thrill of adventure. It is simply not fulfilling to forever stay within the safe confines of familiarity. But when one seeks to "venture" out of what comes naturally, we quickly encounter the unknown.
The unknown is both our greatest pull toward and inhibitor from adventure. We long for adventure because it is exciting, fullfilling, and thrilling; however, we are afraid of it because there is always risk associated with the unknown.
The beautiful thing about adventure in God, though, is that through trust in His word and His character, the risk of the unknown is eliminated so that we are left with nothing but a joyous expectation of living out God's invincible and perfect will in our lives. Basically, that is to say that as a Christian, we get to enjoy the thrill of following God into the unknown while not having to worry a bit about the risks involved.
How? The "risk" of failure is removed by trusting in His promises:
- He will guide me along the best pathway for my life (Ps. 32:8)
- His call is without repentance (Rom 11:29)
- He is able to guard what I've entrusted to him (2 Tim 1:12)
- He is working in me to will and to do His good pleasure (Phil 2:13)
- He will not forsake me, for his own name's sake (1 Sam. 12:22)
- God's zeal for his own name will see His will accomplished (Isa. 37:32)
- etc!
That's not to say that there is no risk of hurt or disappointment or suffering or loss -- in fact, those are guaranteed (Jn. 16:33)! But true adventure isn't about comfort or ease or entertainment or even fun -- it's about purpose, destiny, eternity! That kind of adventure is not something you can just find with a passport and suitcase. It's even more than risking your natural life like a thrill-seeking skydiver. It's putting your eternal destiny on the line and by faith placing all your marbles in the basket of God's sovereign purposes and sufficient grace unto His supreme glory.
I am persuaded that life in God is the greatest adventure. It is a quest into the unknown where our very lives, the eternal fate of men, and the glory of God are at stake. There is no greater risk you and I will ever face in this life than the risk of missing the will of God, and there is no greater reward available to us than the reward of fulfilling it. Because of this, there is no greater adventure than pursuing the will of God. No matter what it costs or where it takes you, it will be the most thrilling and fulfilling way to live!
