Adventure means that you engage in ‘an unusual and exciting or daring experience.’ For some of us that may seem daunting because we are risk adverse, but, we are all called to live adventurously, not just the adrenaline junkies that get a kick out of trying something unusual, exciting or daring. The beauty about us being uniquely and wonderfully made is that adventure will look different for all of us. The key is that God is inviting you and me to adventure with him, wherever that may take us. He is inviting us to be participators of the Kingdom of God, he is inviting us to be the salt of the earth, through every season and through every circumstance, so that his goodness can prevail over all the earth.
Scripture is living proof that we are a people called, a people destined for a better life. We are destined for greatness, destined to be lovers of humanity, destined to be bringers of peace, destined to prophecy about Gods goodness, destined to live in wholeness. Romans 14:17 says, ‘For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.’ When you break down the words in this piece of scripture your mind can run wild, you may even begin to dare to imagine what the Kingdom of God can look and feel like. Ask yourself the question, what does righteousness, peace and joy look like for you right now? That’s where your adventures in faith start, just by imagining what those three words might mean for you and those around you.
When Peter stepped out of the boat and started to walk towards Jesus, all of his fears, anxiety and doubt weighed him down and he started to sink, Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” I shared on Sunday about the excitement that me and my sisters had when my parents took us on a great adventure driving through Europe each summer. The innocence of our childhood meant that we didn’t need a detailed blueprint of where we were going, we just needed to trust our parents, who were also driving the car. We just had the pleasure of enjoying the adventure, and what fun we had, such beautiful memories. Jesus invites us to sit in the backseat of the car and enjoy the ride whilst he drives. As I started to grow older, I look back with sadness at the times I was all too quick to shove Jesus out of the driving seat and put him in the backseat whilst I took control. Sometimes life will throw muck at you, you have a choice, like Peter, you can step out of the boat and walk towards Jesus. When you begin to sink, just remember that Jesus’ hand is always extended towards you, all you have to do is grab it.
Live adventurously. When choices arise, do you take the way that offers the fullest opportunity for the use of your gifts in the service of God and the community?
Let your life speak.