Three truths to help you jump when you're facing God-breathed Adventure

That crisp fall day of solitude was to be spent flitting whichever direction the wind of my whim would blow. I was walking out of my favorite local coffee shop when the floor mat stood out to me like a neon sign. I'd never even noticed it before. Perhaps it shown so significantly in the light through the glass door because of my state of mind. I had taken the day off work and once I got the kiddos out the door for their last day before Thanksgiving break, it was a day for MY stuff. I spent the early morning hours reading and working on this here blog.

The truth is... writing here for you is a leap of faith like few others I've been brave enough to take thus far in my life.

So it was an impetuous moment, standing there staring at my red sneakers. For a few seconds, I was shaken out of my floaty mood and the potential EVERYTHING of this endeavor became very real. I caught a quick mental glimpse of the road ahead. My time spent working in Africa has caused me to temper my romance with adventure, as I know that all adventure is laced with adversity. I hesitate to give way to the emotional revving that occurs in my soul as I sense this fresh appointment. There will be speed bumps I can't anticipate, TKOs I won't see coming, and heartless blows to my self esteem, curtesy of the internet, no doubt.

Why would one choose to walk directly into adversity? Because it offers the opportunity to overcome! Adventure by nature is attractive because of the unknown and potential hazard. What a boring life this would be if it weren't for pushing past obstacles and challenges and defeating anything that stands in the way of success. It's all particularly worth it when the fight is for the sake of a call. What a thrill!

There are those of us who take comfort in predictability, stability and consistency. To these types, everything I've been describing sounds like the opposite of enjoyable and nothing to ever get too close to. "Give me my safe and obstacle-free plan and let me work it." Right? I want to say to you, steady ones, that the adventures God asks us to pursue, with all their unpredictability, are entirely predictable. The outcome is predetermined and the way is clearly marked. If we can set aside our agendas, we'll find that our plans aren't so great after all. We may not always be comfortable, but we can always be assured.

Here's what helps me jump when I'm staring God-breathed adventure in the face:

The unknown will be provided for. From the broadest circumstances, to the most minute details, God paved the way long before we became privy to the fact that we would be headed this way. We can rest in the fact that He will not let His will go unprovided for. If He can split the sea, He can pay the bills and open the doors.
Success is guaranteed. If we can view a "win" through the lens of God's Glory and His purposes for His Kingdom, we will realize that no matter how things turn out, His success (which is our success) will surely come. As long as we remain obedient and just do the next first thing, we are winning.
It's going to be even better than I think. I dream BIG. But I know that my limited mind can't fathom the places God will take me if I'm faithful. If we can be flexible and open to things not turning out the way we imagined, our expectations will be blown to bits by His infinite goodness.

So, cheers to new adventures, everyone! Here we go!