“Some people run towards Vision and other run from Nightmares.”
- Pastor John Leach, Jubilee Fellowship Church - Lone Tree, CO
It was Sunday October 21st 2007 and it was easier than usual to find a seat at the 11:00am service because today was the first snow of the season in the Denver area as the pastor explained why he had given the massage three titles. It was because as he sees it the world is full of two kinds of people, those who run towards vision and those who run from nightmares. So he had a title for each kind of person and the third was the politically correct title. The point on this post is not his message but if I have peeked your interest feel free to listen to it for free at www.jfc.org it was a great message and well worth the time.
Some time back I included a survey on this BLOG and 50% of the respondents answered that they wouldn’t be caught dead on a motorcycle. Additionally, I have received e-mail warnings about the dangers of motorcycle including examples of people they know who were injured or worse due to motorcycle accidents. I have been confused as to why my invitation into adventure, any adventure not just those involving motorcycles would get that type of response. And this quote has made it clearer to me. I have defined adventure and any activity where you place yourself in a situation out of your control where you are intentionally at the risk of the unknown, where you’re well worn bag of tricks and talent isn’t enough and you need to rely on God. In short where you will need to face the “what will happen?” question. If you are the type of person who runs towards Vision “What will happen?” is very exciting but if you are a person who runs from nightmares “What will happen?” is the worse thing you can imagine. I am convinced that Eldridge is correct when he says in Wild at Heart that men bear the image of God in ways that require us to seek an “Adventure to Live” a place in a story that is larger then ourselves.
In my heart I hear the whisper of two voices, on calling me to adventure and the other warning me away from danger. All last week the weather man has predicted that Saturday would be nice but Sunday would be the first snow of the season in the Denver Metro area. Last weekend they were wrong by about 12 hours and my son and I were caught in the rain that wasn’t due until much later in the day. So one voice says take a nice long ride and enjoy the day and the other says don’t go and if you do stay close to home incase the snow comes early. Rain on a bike is inconvenient and uncomfortable but snow and ice can be downright dangerous.
For no particular reason I woke Saturday morning at 4:00am and something in my heart said go for it. So I got dressed, packed the bike and was underway at Zero-Dark-Thirty with no particular plan in mind. Then I remembered saying some time back that I wanted to see Mt. Rushmore which is only 400 miles away so north bound it is. The whole time I was thinking I would go part way and come home leaving such a long trip for the spring or summer of next year, after all an 800 mile round trip was way more than I have ever done on a bike in one day and I’m no 19 year old kid anymore. But at every gas and meal stop I decided to go farther, even playing a game in my head to determine what time it would be when I would get home if I turned around now. The choice was simple, choose the safe route and turn back or press on into the unknown. At each decision point I chose to press on and trust the outcome to my Father who loves me.
Along the way I experienced a beautiful sunrise in Cheyenne, WY, the magnificent desolation of the plains, the rugged beauty of the Black Hills and majesty of the Mt. Rushmore monument. Not to mention the best buffalo burger I have had in Custer, SD.
I could have easily chosen to run from Nightmares and I would have missed a great day. The next time you have the option to take an adventure (two wheeled or not) listen to the voice that is urging you on it is well worth it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
So I was on WAWG (weekend alone with God) this past weekend. It is a time when i go alone into the Colorado wilderness and listen for God's voice. I hear it through His word, through the Holy Spirit in my heart and through promptings that I have a hard time explaining or describing. But I go to listen--alone--in the lonely places.
I also read. I was reading from "Your God is Too Safe" by Mark Buchanan and really enjoyed this quote.
" But that's no what I mean when I say we've made God too safe. I mean that we want Him to be comfortable rather than comforting. I mean that we want Him to be peaceable, to keep His peace, to be docile, rather than to be peacemaking and peace giving. And instead of being our hiding place, we would prefer that God be our ace in the hole. And if that doesn't work, we'd prefer to hid from Him."
I want to run towards God's vision for my life and run away from the nightmare that I have and can make of it. I want to run towards the high calling of a dangerous King who calls out more of me than there naturally is. I want to live a life worthy of my King's name--rather than settle for a life of drab, grey and comfortable.
Press on 800 mile man; press on!
Bradylakeman
So I was at Chucky Cheese eating bad pizza with Noah when my husband called me. I thought he was with some buddies. I just assumed. He informed me he was in Custer South Dakota. You coulda knocked me over.
But I am completely behind you, John. Go adventure guy, go!
I have wanted to own my own bike since the first year I was married, but I was forbade. I still covet the women who have the cute Suzukis and lovely matching ride gear. Perhaps one day that will be me. I promise to be safe and look cute.
Post a Comment