Ever since I first left the continent in high school, I have yearned to spend a considerable amount of my life travelling abroad. People who get to travel extensively have always captivated me. Andrew Evans is one of these people. As the “Digital Nomad” for National Geographic, he is in a constant state of travel and is most famous for taking a 10,000-mile bus trip to Antarctica two years ago.
Last month, I was reading some of his blog and carelessly threw out a haphazard prayer: Lord, I want to be like this someday.
His response shocked me: I’ve called you to a greater adventure.
I did not expect an answer like this, or one at all. Frozen in my seat, I began to process everything as a new paradigm slapped me across the face: a reminder of what adventure should really be.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines adventure as “an [exciting or remarkable experience] usually involving danger and unknown risks.” That definition seems to lose its potency when focused on the self but it further multiplies when focused on others. The risk for self-gain is less worth taking on as an adventure compared to greater things we are capable of.
This is what Jesus taught two thousand years ago. Whoever wants to preserve their life will end up losing it in emptiness, but whoever loses their life to follow his example of service and love will find it. What good is it for people to gain the world and everything they want from it for personal gain, but lose themselves and who they were called to be? (Matthew 16:25-26)
In regards to travel, adventure is not just about where we go and what we do, but it can take a more important definition in what we can do for the people we meet. As much as I enjoy traveling for my own pleasure, I can easily forget the calling to a greater sense of adventure as a follower of Jesus and compassionate human being. I love the feeling of visiting a new place, climbing a mountain, or experiencing something new, but a better feeling seems to come from doing an act of kindness or something to benefit another person who cannot repay us.
So many people have asked what mission work entails, and it is something I have been considering as well. Regardless of anyone’s belief this idea seems to be the simplest answer I can think of: As Christians, we are filled with love that compels us to greater service outside ourselves. Freely we have received, so we are called to freely give and live generously (Matthew 10:8).
Freely I have received so much, not only from growing up in a first world country, but also through the love and grace extended to me. There are so many people around the world living in tough conditions who have not seen love and have so many physical needs that need to be met. While it is easy to think of our own needs and desires, it is more fulfilling to meet the needs of the “least of these” in society (Matthew 25:40).
I am excited for the opportunity to serve as part of the World Race through the local programs it partners with that are already well established in helping people. This is not a typical mission trip. It is the experience of a lifetime that will forever affect how I live and serve others. This is the greatest adventure I can think of, and I am excited to see where it takes me both next year and afterward. Try to beat that, Digital Nomad!
The call to a Christian life is so rich with a love and service-minded focus outside the self, but it is sad to see that can get overlooked in a culture of self-indulgence and materialism. It is too easy to be comfortable in life, but Jesus calls us to adventure. He wanted to serve instead of be served (Matthew 20:28) and spoke a lot about service and sacrifice for others, most powerfully that the greatest in life will be servants (Matthew 23:21).
I am excited to see where this adventure takes me next year. All of us are called to an adventure outside ourselves that can be lived out anywhere.
Are you living that adventure?
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Dear Blog Readers:
I am sorry for not updating my blog recently. Now that there are only three months left until launch, I will be writing more and keeping you up to date. Also, I just created a Facebook fan page. Be sure to check it out at facebook.com/isaacsworldrace.
Before I end this blog, I have great news to share with you. As of this month, I am halfway funded! Yes, half of the support I need to spend the year serving abroad has been raised. (As of June 1, you have helped me raise $7,780!)
This is such a big deal and I am so thankful for everyone who has contributed in anyway, whether in prayer, finances, or awareness. I appreciate all of you so much and thank you for using the resources you have been blessed with. Your generosity means so much and I pray that you will be blessed through seeing what my group does next year and knowing you were able to help make it happen.
Stay tuned for more adventure! 🙂
