There is something about adventure and exploration that captures the imagination of a boy.

Growing up, I always found myself drawn to the endless possibilities and mysteries of the unknown; determined to always walk the road less travelled. 

I remember being deeply captivated by stories and quotes that spoke to this place in me… 

‘The journey, not the arrival matters’ -T.S. Eliot

‘Not all those who wander, are lost’ – J.R.R. Tolkien

‘Adventure…is a deeply spiritual longing written into the soul of man’ – John Eldredge

It was this hunger for adventure that led me as a teenager to serve in a foreign country and inspired me as a young man to take a solo road trip to the east coast; I was committed to follow the road wherever it led. These experiences were the closest I would get to those early explorers I admired and I relished each and every moment. 

The truth is, I am a dreamer, drifter and wanderer at heart; one who tends to circle an area, both physically and intellectually, for lengthy stretches before moving forward. It is not enough for me to just arrive at the destination; I want to stop and reflect along the way. 

Because of this, I have uncovered many views and ideas that have made a a huge impact on my life; in my mind, a reward for my patience and perseverance. 

But I have also faced many setbacks; The reality being that for every successful journey I have taken, there have been equal or greater dead ends, which are nearly always met with regret and resentment. Why do I keep failing? What is the point? When will things work out? All common questions I have asked myself.  

The main challenge is that with no clear path, there is no clear arrival; which means no clear achievement. And so, I rarely feel fulfilled; Instead, I find myself in a constant state of restlessness, questioning purpose and meaning in my life. 

This can become tiring, not only for myself, but those closest to me who have to deal with the ups and downs along the way; surely at times feeling like a passenger to my ideas.

It was during one of these seasons of unrest, while out for a walk in the woods, that I discovered the odyssey I had been looking for my entire life

Standing quietly by myself, it became clear to me that the One who formed the world around me, also formed the depths within me and had an amazing plan for my life. 

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us He “knows the plans He has for us… plans for good, not for disaster; to give us a future and a hope”

And while I had heard this previously growing up, this time, it struck me quite different. Not unlike the experience of travelling the same road many times, before capturing a view of something incredible that had always been there. 

His offer to me that day? The chance to join Him, explore with Him and discover HIS purpose for my life. 

All this time I had been chasing my own purposes and coming up empty. I had focused on obtaining knowledge and greatness in the world, when the true journey was deeper within to experience genuine, personal love in my heart with our Creator; this I now know, is the utmost pilgrimage any man could take.

Of course, a journey like this takes great courage; While before, I would identify the faults and downfalls of others, I now humbly find them in me. Gone is the ability to give superficial, shallow answers to questions; now I am forced to accept and wrestle through my own deep doubts and disbelief… ones which I simply can’t answer on my own.

This is a deep and worthy voyage; but it is not an easy one, and surely not attainable without God navigating closely by my side. Only He can lead because only He knows the deepest parts of me and exactly what I need.

Ultimately, this journey has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him.