"There is no substitute for exploring, crossing
over into the unknown to see what's there. And that goes for all
exploring; the physical, the intellectual and even the spiritual. Often
they are all combined."
Peter Jenkins, author of Walk Across America.
My First Skydiving Experience
I'll admit I was scared as I hung from the strut of a Cessna 182 airplane, the wind blasting 70+ mph in my face, waiting for the nod from my skydiving instructor to let go and begin my 3,500 ft solo descent to the ground. Of course, my hope was that it would be a slow and gentle descent, but there was no guarantee. As I released my grip I was citing these words: For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it (1). (click on the link below, or http://youtu.be/lCddpdOOL58, to witness my first skydive!).
Risk or Resignation
What did Jesus mean when he spoke about the necessity of losing our lives for his sake? I think it means that following him will require letting go of that which seems necessary, in order to find that which is vital (for example, finding our calling or individual purpose for being here). Jim Elliott, the famous missionary who was killed in South America by the natives he was evangelizing, put it this way: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. This "letting go" requires trusting God, following his call, and stepping out into the unknown. Alternatively, we can play it safe and avoid that risk. In my opinion, too many people have done that, with the result being what Thoreau described as the mass of men [leading] lives of quiet desperation.
Gracious uncertainty - the mark of the spiritual life
In Genesis 1, God created the world...which included a lot of spectacularly wild and unexplored places...he then called it all good and told us to "Take charge and be responsible for them" (2). This challenge was to be conducted in tandem with God, which required that we trust his goodness and leading. Following God means that he may ask us to step into the unknown, out of our comfort zone, in order to accomplish that which we were created to do. Oswald Chambers said that To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should rather be an expression of breathless expectation (3).
Into the Unknown
When I let go of that airplane that day in 2004, it was symbolic of my desire to let go of everything that hinders...[and to] run with perseverance the race marked out for [me], fixing [my] eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (4).
Moving into the unknown doesn't have to mean jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. Relationship with God means that he will prompt you to move in the direction he is calling you. Our ability to hear his call may require a break in our routine, to get away from the noise and distraction of daily life for awhile. Perhaps this could mean traveling to a new place to explore unknown nooks and crannies. Or perhaps simply moving out of your comfort zone.
Howard Macey said The spiritual life cannot be made suburban...it is always frontier and we who live in it must accept and even rejoice that it remains untamed. My prayer is that you and I will find our place in this frontier and learn to rejoice in all that it means.
Footnotes:
Peter Jenkins, author of Walk Across America.
My First Skydiving Experience
I'll admit I was scared as I hung from the strut of a Cessna 182 airplane, the wind blasting 70+ mph in my face, waiting for the nod from my skydiving instructor to let go and begin my 3,500 ft solo descent to the ground. Of course, my hope was that it would be a slow and gentle descent, but there was no guarantee. As I released my grip I was citing these words: For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it (1). (click on the link below, or http://youtu.be/lCddpdOOL58, to witness my first skydive!).
Risk or Resignation
What did Jesus mean when he spoke about the necessity of losing our lives for his sake? I think it means that following him will require letting go of that which seems necessary, in order to find that which is vital (for example, finding our calling or individual purpose for being here). Jim Elliott, the famous missionary who was killed in South America by the natives he was evangelizing, put it this way: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. This "letting go" requires trusting God, following his call, and stepping out into the unknown. Alternatively, we can play it safe and avoid that risk. In my opinion, too many people have done that, with the result being what Thoreau described as the mass of men [leading] lives of quiet desperation.
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| This path seems to invite one to explore the wonders of the Pacific Ocean! Shore Acres State Park, Oregon. |
In Genesis 1, God created the world...which included a lot of spectacularly wild and unexplored places...he then called it all good and told us to "Take charge and be responsible for them" (2). This challenge was to be conducted in tandem with God, which required that we trust his goodness and leading. Following God means that he may ask us to step into the unknown, out of our comfort zone, in order to accomplish that which we were created to do. Oswald Chambers said that To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should rather be an expression of breathless expectation (3).
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| Walking along the Oregon Coast north of Florence. There is something mesmerizing, almost eternal about the ocean waves. |
When I let go of that airplane that day in 2004, it was symbolic of my desire to let go of everything that hinders...[and to] run with perseverance the race marked out for [me], fixing [my] eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (4).
Moving into the unknown doesn't have to mean jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. Relationship with God means that he will prompt you to move in the direction he is calling you. Our ability to hear his call may require a break in our routine, to get away from the noise and distraction of daily life for awhile. Perhaps this could mean traveling to a new place to explore unknown nooks and crannies. Or perhaps simply moving out of your comfort zone.
Howard Macey said The spiritual life cannot be made suburban...it is always frontier and we who live in it must accept and even rejoice that it remains untamed. My prayer is that you and I will find our place in this frontier and learn to rejoice in all that it means.
Footnotes:
