Adventures for God
Recently I heard someone ask a simple but thought provoking question. "When was the last time you did something for the first time." The media has been full of stories of people who, often late on in life, have undertaken new and at times extraordinary challenges. TV presenter Christine Blakeley water-skied the English Channel while comedian Eddie Izzard ran over 40 marathons in just a few months, all for charity.
Those Herculean feats may seem beyond many of us, but at their root they represent a basic human instinct for fresh and exciting challenges over humdrum and familiar routine. I believe we are created for more than the ordinary and average. There is in each of us a God given capacity to enjoy and appreciate God’s world and the myriad experiences it can provide. There is also a constant emphasis in Scripture that God delights in drawing us into new, stretching and faith fuelled adventures for the sake of His kingdom.
So, what about you, when was the last time you did something for the first time? Is that youthful sense of curiosity or adventure or opportunity buried or active in your life. Maybe its time to awaken it - a new hobby, learning of language, further study, a new area of service or ministry – all these can provide a huge boost to our sense of purpose, well being not to mention bringing new acquaintances, friends and opportunities to get alongside others.
Last week I called my dear friend Paul Francis, leader of Glenwood Church. I wanted to arrange our monthly get together. He answered the phone half way up Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest peak. He said he felt 'close to death' but completed the climb and followed up by climbing Sca Fell and Snowdon on Thursday and Friday. Wow! Much respect! The rest of my day felt very safe and quite tame and I wondered what fresh adventures God might have for me if I'd be open to asking.
(Find out more about Eddie Izzards 43 marathon feat at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/mar/05/eddie-izzard-marathon-man-review)
