Anyone who finds the Christian life boring is not paying attention. The call to the “Rich Young Ruler,” and to us, is to let go of all that we have and follow Jesus. “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” Mark 10:21 Let’s not miss it.
Real adventure comes when we exchange our agenda for a radical obedience. This is counterintuitive. Those that practice total dependance on Him are those that are most alive. It was at a time his nation was most dispirited that Isaiah urged to focus on the Lord for real adventure. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles …” Isaiah 40:31
The hang glider has to run, jump off the cliff then trust the sail will catch the wind. Give the sacrifice of time to be in the Word and, by faith, see where the wind of the Spirit will blow. Only trusting by faith can we please Him and feel his pleasure. That choice has consequences for all eternity. It was because of his faith, that Abraham pleased God. This is the pattern. (Heb 11:8-17) It is those that go down to the sea in ships that see the wonders of the deep. “Those who go down to the sea in ships … they see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep.” Ps 107:23-24 We don’t know what happened to the “Rich Young Ruler.” We can only guess he died of boredom and, most likely, full of regrets.
Our call from God is to be full of life. For he is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Join the adventure by serving with other cultures. Now, it could be by e-missions. See what adventure awaits. Educators are especially needed. Know that If missions were one enterprise, it would be a fortune 100 company. Every skill is needed. Enter a profile with whatever your skill at missionnext.org and see where the wind of the Spirit takes you. See you there!
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (ESV). (Isaiah 40:31)
Those who go down to the sea in ships, … they see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep. (Psalm 107:23-24)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)
Nelson Malwitz, Founder, Chief Innovation Officer
Nelson is the generic Evangelical baby-boomer. Born in 1946, raised in the C&MA, he attended Urbana ’67 in college. He holds an MS degree in Chemical Engineering and worked in R&D positions in American industry for 33 years. Nelson is an inventor with formal training in methods of creative problem-solving. He was a founding elder at Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, CT (1982) and served in many leadership capacities of what is now one of the largest Evangelical churches in New England. In 1998 Nelson founded the Finishers Project, now MissionNext. Locally he attends a Torah study and is chairman of the sewer commission to serve among unchurched leaders.
2 thoughts on “Anticipate Adventure”
What would the world be like if all Christians put into practice what this blog says! Timely advice!
I find this challenging and helpful. Thank you.