ADVENTURE. What does it even mean? For many of us it means something exciting. Adventure is crossing things off the bucket list, or exploring something new and unknown. Maybe adventure is living life on the edge, but it looks different for everyone. I love adventure. I have a desire to see everything. Exploring new places is exciting; it is something to look forward to, new memories to be made.
This summer my dear friend and ‘adventure buddy’ acquired a flesh eating bacteria in her leg. A gash in her knee, a trip to the ER, and some stitches later, everything should have been fine. Some rest for a week or two, a fun scar, and life back to normal. Instead she ended up in the ICU with a fast moving bacteria taking over her leg, and her body. It quickly became a fight to save not just her leg, but her life. After over two months in the hospital and 18 surgeries, her road to recovery is long and hard. It is a challenge she is taking on, thankful to have her life and all 10 of her toes; praise God!
What does this have to do with adventure?
When my friend landed in the hospital, our adventures didn’t end. Instead of running on the beach, we rolled through the hospital. Instead of making boats out of drift wood, we got crafty to make thank you cards. Sometimes our adventures are in Odyssey, other times they are on Netflix; we are just happy to experience them together.
Just as we don’t have to go to the far ends of the earth to be adventurous, we don’t have to leave the country to make an impact. Lives can be changed from a desk, from an office, and even from a hospital bed. Who do you encounter on a daily basis? How can you show them the love of Jesus?
This sounds weird coming from someone who just signed up to spend 11 months traveling the world sharing God’s love, but right now I am here. As I prepare for and look forward to the adventures to come, I must also remain in the here and now. How can I love on the people around me? What can I do to be a light, not next week or next year, but today? I have no idea what the Lord will bring in the next year, but I am excited to walk through life knowing He has a plan far better than my own. He will guide me and teach me as I embark on this crazy journey called life.
You never know what adventures God has in store for today. Ask Him what you can do, how He wants to use you from wherever you are. It might mean inviting your coworker to church, or praying with a new friend. Adventure is waiting just around the corner; ask God how you can find it!
