The Grand Adventure

To call my life an adventure might be one of the biggest understatements of the century. Constantly I find myself in new and unconventional places, situations, cultures, and groups of people. There really is never a dull moment. Lately, especially, I have been in a period of non-stop travel and exploration. Time and again people tell me, “I’m so jealous! It must be nice to travel the world! I would never get to do that!”

Largely, what I hear makes a lot of sense—I am exceptionally blessed and rich in experience, after all. Lately, though, something hasn’t sat quite right within me. I find myself anxious or regretful if I am not doing something new and exciting at every moment. Contentment does not always seem within reach.

How can it be that I, an individual who at 25 years has seen more of the world than most cover in a lifetime, can still feel like I’m missing out? In this struggle for contentment, God has spoken. In the restlessness of my heart and mind He keeps showing me that I am looking in the wrong places. In all of my adventure, I keep falling into the trap of looking to a certain place or certain experience to bring me to the contentment my soul longs for. I have found myself at a point where often my travel, experience, cultures, and exploration become my life. At the end of the day these things cannot bring me the life I desire.

King David says that “My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with full lips when I meditate on you, for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wing I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:5-6)
Funnily enough, he doesn’t mention that when he has rich foods, or when he visits a new place, or when he has a certain job, or when he has a certain relationship will his soul find satisfaction. David’s soul, unlike mine (all too often) clings to one thing and one thing alone—the God who satisfies without fail, regardless of circumstance.

So what about you? Are you content? Is your heart and mind at rest regardless of the circumstances of your life? If not, like me, you may need to check in on what your soul clings to. Is it adventure? Or maybe a career, or a family, or a relationship, or money? It really doesn’t matter—only one thing will give you what you actually long for. The God whose “steadfast love is better than life.” Clinging to Him and Him alone, you will find real peace, joy, and contentment that nothing in this world can offer, no matter how exciting or successful your life may be. And that is the Grand Adventure I'm after!