Aching For Adventure

We make living difficult, it can be easier

As I'm preparing to move out of my apartment and into my parents' house for 3 weeks while I get ready for the Appalachian Trail, I've come to realize a very important scenario. I will be living out of a backpack for 5 months at a time; no TV, car, bed, computer, junk food, comfortable couches, coffee with friends, movies with my girlfriend, long nights talking with my dad about politics and faith, and no playing with my siblings. WOW! I'm giving up a lot to follow my heart and learn what it means to be a man of God.

Over the last month, I sold my gorgeous 42" Panasonic Plasma TV, Blu-Ray player and movies. I'll be handing off electronics, furniture, art supplies, and a massive collection of movies. Goodwill and the Ark will love all the clothes I'll leave with them. I'll have no kitchen, bathroom, or SHOWER! Okay, so now we're all thinking the same thing; this is not what it takes to become of a man of God. I don't see millions of young Christians dropping their luxuries to spend time with the Lord.

This isn't what it takes, everyone walks their own path in their own way, the way that works for them. My way just so happens to be drastic and slightly exaggerated compared to most people. This is what it takes for me to go where the Lord is asking me to go. It can be done and I'm finding out that it's easier than it seems.

I don't miss my TV, I miss using the gear in my backpack and staring at the stars all night. I miss silence, the "quiet" of the outdoors, the simple life of providing necessities day-by-day. My heart aches for this adventure, it yearns for the experiences ahead, and begs to learn what you can only be a part of. This is who I am. I choose to be without the thousands of luxuries we take for granted each day. I want to learn how to live and survive with less. To see the Lord away from all the distractions.

Jesus, Paul and Moses walked in the wilderness. They spent months, years and decades away from home. They traveled from city to city, culture to culture seeing the Lord's hand at work all across the world. That is something that has caught my attention since I was kid. I remember hearing of Jesus' life when he was boy, then, all of a sudden, he was 30 and began a world changing ministry.

For years I wondered: Where did he go? Who did he meet? Why was he away from home so long? Why were his parents not calling a search and rescue team??

Finally, it hit me. Jesus didn't vanish, run away, or wander aimlessly until he found what he was looking for. He was living, learning, experiencing what life was like as a man in this world. He came across other religions, science, strange cultures, and lost kingdoms. He grew-up and just so happened to realize what exactly he was called to do. He became the perfect man of God that he was created to be. 

Jesus, Paul and Moses didn't live in luxury or abound in the treasures of this world. They found beauty outside of the "civilized" way to live. Their master was the Lord Almighty, and their path was to spread the love that God showed them. They are my motivation, to live like Jesus is my reason (almost literally), and to share Elohim's love is my cause.

Where does TCWPJ fit into all of this? It is my outreach, my connection to the modern world. I was born in a time and place where billions of people across the world fall short, like myself, but we all need a little reminder here and there why we live for the Lord. We were given dominion of the beasts of the fields, fish of the sea, and birds of the air. This is our land, our home. Let's take back from evil what is rightfully ours.

Here's a challenge for you: Once a week, give up one thing that you enjoy. 

Something that means a lot to you, but you know you can live without. Try some of these: Internet, cell phone, TV, driving in your car, eating out, video games, soda. If you think can't live without it, "friends need to reach me," "I'll miss my show," "I have errands to run," "junk food is quick and saves time," you'll find that YOU CAN LIVE WITHOUT whatever it is. It'll be there for you tomorrow, things will work out. You'll better appreciate what you have, trust me. I've gone months at a time without a phone, without internet, and without my own car. And now, I'll be unable to contact those close to me for weeks at a time, no warm bed, no long nights in front of a screen, and no distractions from a simple way to live.

In the comment box below, share experiences you had without a luxury you took for granted, but chose to be without...