Reflection

The most adventurous photo I could find of myself

This page is mostly here so that I have opportunity to write in first-person.

For the most part, I chose this project because I happened to be in an extra bad mood concerning video games on the day we were asked what the focus of our IDS projects would be. It was about halfway into writing the biographies that I realized the transformative effect this project was having on me.

Up to a few months ago, I had always had this feeling in my heart that men were meant for something more than sitting inside, staring at screens, capturing pretend flags, and shooting imaginary zombies. I had heard whispers of the fact that men were meant for adventure, but it just seemed like some new-age nonsense.

This project, though, showed me that my heart was actually speaking truth for once.

Not only are we meant to go on adventures out in nature that bring us to the edge of our sanity, we are meant to not give up on the adventures that we find ourselves in all the time. Adventures like relationships, college, having no money, putting ourselves in the shoes of others, giving when we have nothing left to give, trying one more time at something we have failed at ten times, talking to that beautiful girl we see everyday but fail to talk to, and zeitgeists (just to name a few).

Often culture tells us that adventures are reserved for only the Indiana Jones’ of this world. Finishing college or persevering through tough times are often not considered adventures at all. “Take the path of least resistance” is often whispered into our ears by media and culture. Don’t do things are difficult or that require you to trust something outside of yourself. Trust yourself and if yourself is telling you to quit, then quit–free of shame and guilt. False.

For Christians, our adventures have a new dynamic.

The only way to live in this adventure–with all its danger and unpredictability and immensely high stakes–is an ongoing intimate relationship with God.[1]

Trust in God is an essential part of every adventure. Abraham trusted God when he was asked to pick up and go. The disciples dropped their nets and followed the Messiah when he invited them.  We need to trust that God is asking to go on these adventures and that God will see us through. He will prove himself to be faithful if we allow him.

So, back to what this has done to me. Before this project, I feel like I was the man born blind in John 9.  Now, I see the world in a whole new light. I see adventures all around me. Adventures that are calling to me, begging me to participate. I have the choice to courageously pursue the adventures that come my way or hide in fear. I am trying my best not to do the latter.

Let the readers of this blog keep me accountable to pursuing adventure and creating stories.

If you see me avoiding something purely because I am scared of it or because it looks difficult, feel free to say, “Wow, Austin. That’s very unadventurous of you.”

A few people have already told me that. And it worked.

---

[1] Eldredge, 214.