REI co-op is an adventurer’s heaven. A trekker’s dream. It’s the playground of backpackers and outdoors-people alike.
Ever been there? I used to go to REI with my dad as a kid way before it was cool. We’d make a stop there before our annual camping trip or before, as we got older, we accompanied him backpacking.
REI has every camping gadget, bio-degradable soap and freeze-dried food known to man. And more recently {especially since they built a brand new gorgeous REI near my house} I’ve been there for hiking pants and some minor supplies before our campout a few weekends ago.
Now granted, one does not need to visit the camping store before one camps. A person with a car can pull up alongside the road and stretch out in the back and fall asleep to the sound of the great-outdoors in one’s ears.
But one thing I’m learning about adventure, and a trip down the aisles of REI confirms it, is that most of the time it’s an intentional thing.
Adventurers don’t let adventure find them. They seek it out. They plan the hike, they research the trail, they get the right equipment. And then they buy the plane ticket.
So if life is an adventure, like we like to say it is, why do we make it seek us out? Why aren’t we out there loving bigger and bleeding grace? Why aren’t we seeking out the hurt and the grief-stricken? Why aren’t we making better use of our time?
Our quick lives are full of turns and joys and disappointments. They were never meant to be comfort filled existences lived on sofa cushions. We were made for adventure, for living life in a a big way by sharing our hearts and our homes with the world.
Adventure doesn’t look for us, adventure must be made. And besides that, very few people ever had a great story to tell while sitting on the sofa.
What adventure will you make today? Who will you love? How will you use your time differently today?
Sarah,
I just love your posts. Today’s is especially ironic to me because me and hubby have been disucssing how to live more in the moment.
IT
http://irishtripletsrecovery.blogspot.com/
i love it!! =)
Oh Sarah, such a good reminder that we must seek out adventure – at least take the first few steps and then the rest of the experience usually falls into place. I love that adventures can be small and spontaneous, or big and well thought out, but that you can be blessed by both…the small unexpected ones tend to be my favorite! Thanks for the reminder to keep making my adventures in life. MD
me too. the small unexpected ones are the best. i agree. =) miss you.
As a fan of REI, EMS,… you’re speaking my language here in a way I’ve never thought about. Thank you.
ha! that’s great amy!!
REI: yes.
Adventure: yes.
Intentionality: double yes.
Photo of Chad rockin’ the sunglasses in front of a bunch of ez-ups: yes.
ah i love it!! =)
I liked “bleeding grace” . . and looking for adventure, seeking it out.
God bless you, Sarah, as you go today!
thank you debbie! let us all be adventurers!!
Because in the words of CS Lewis.. we are children in a nursery and we are playing with our toys… and something must drive us out of the nursery from our familiar safe place, and that something is pain… Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world!! ~ God Bless<3
oh i love this mindy!!
Oh, yes. You had me from the word “adventure.”
Need to mail this one out to one of my greatly adventurous friends, headed overseas (again!) to seek the adventure of giving ALL.
Thank you for these thoughts.
Thanks. This is convicting and encouraging today. Intentionality in life is so needed!!! Or else it will just pass us by.
One of the beautiful things about walking with Christ is that some of us ARE living on the edge and we are living that adventurous life. I don’t think it shows much because we are mostly doing it in secret, aren’t we? So much excitement but we keep it mostly under wraps. Wouldn’t it be great fun to post what women are doing anonymously?
Were you speaking to me? Did you write this with just one of your readers, me, in mind? This feels personal and that is a good thing. The Lord has been gently murmuring in my heart to start a bible study this June in my home. How specific is that. How simple. I have not had the adventurous heart to take the next step and INVITE. Will my house be straight enough, will people come, blah, blah, blah. You inspire courage and offer that loving nudge to go do. I am grateful….. I know God wants this abundant life of going out and doing. You wrote this beautifully, Sarah. Thanks
So intensely personal, yes…thank you for the gentle nudge, Sarah. I was ‘lead’ to this amazing place and found a well-spring of living water for my thirsty, seeking soul. Your thoughts are beautiful and thoughtfully written and my spirit sings in agreement and joy!
God says that life is a battle. A wilderness. A race. A pilgrimage. But I still long for it to be a garden.
This “So if life is an adventure, like we like to say it is, why do we make it seek us out? Why aren’t we out there loving bigger and bleeding grace? Why aren’t we seeking out the hurt and the grief-stricken?” made me weep!
Blessings,
~Erin
Go big or go home I say. My family of 7, 5 boys ages 9-14 (3 adopted), leave for the Philippines next week. We will stay at least two years and build two schools. We’ve sold our home, our cars, and are debt free and totally depending on God. We aren’t going as part of a big agency, pretty much we are just going where we know there’s a need. Fear? God loves our boys more than we do; we’re not afraid (well not too much…). Most folks can’t understand us. But you know I’d rather live big for God, allow Him big glory, then be afraid. As Christ followers we really have no choice but to go or send. Take risk, love and live wildly.
I think adventure often happens when preparedness meets opportunity. We don’t always know what adventure we ought to be seeking because God is the author of the bestest ones. But we can have our hearts, heads and hands ready so that when the opportunity presents itself, we can jump in!
Please go while you can…Jesus has already given the command and I have not heard that it has been resinded, but be sure you are going for His glory and the fulfillment of His calling on your lives and not for adventure seeking alone! Go…into all the world and preach the gospel, baptizing those who believe in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, making disciples, and teaching them to observe all that He has spoken and He will be with you always, even until the end of the age.
“Why aren’t we out there loving bigger and bleeding grace? Why aren’t we seeking out the hurt and the grief-stricken? Why aren’t we making better use of our time?”
So why aren’t I loving bigger and bleeding grace? Why am I, the saved, redeemed, delivered, and loved still living as if I am the hurt and grief-stricken one? Why, when I am filled to overflowing with Him and His grace am I not spilling it out everywhere I go, intentionally? So many thoughts to ponder! Thank you for opening my eyes to them.
What an adventure that would be…to look for hurting people and reach out…listen…hold…love. We would feel better and think less about ourselves. Why is it so hard to extend the grace we have been given??
Thank you for reminding me.
Love, love, love this! Thank you for the huge reminder!!!