Adventurous

While in a meeting yesterday, I was asked to pinpoint characteristics of my identity that would be effective in church ministry.  One of my group members looked at me and said the following:

 

“You seem like a pretty adventurous person.”

 

Me?  Yeah, right.  Adventurous.  Sure.  It is my personal estimation that at least 85% of the world’s population is more adventurous than me (including newborn babies and the elderly).  I would never bungee jump.  I would never jump off a bridge (even if all my friends were doing it…this was evidenced in Georgia).  I have a hard time trusting most animals (especially birds and monkeys).  I haven’t “climbed” anything since the collapse of the Berlin Wall.  The last time I felt a rush of adrenaline was when I dropped my contacts case into the toilet.

 

Adventurous.  Gee whiz.  I’m no risk-taker.  I don’t “live life on the edge”.  I don’t “grab life by the horns”, as the Dodge people would say.  I’m indoorsy.  I like making potholders and doing Sudoku puzzles while drinking a fresh cup of coffee.

 

So how the HECK did I end up here?

 

How did I make it this far?

 

Why am I going to Uganda???

 

I guess it comes down to this: my definition of “risk” is different than most people’s definition.  God called me to Purdue.  He called me to DC.  He called me to Korea.  And now He’s calling me to Uganda.  There is no risk in following Him.  There is a cost, in leaving behind people whom I love and a place that I call home.  But giving my life to Christ is no gamble.

 

I’m not adventurous.  It’s not a part of my identity.  But He has called me to take part in His adventures, and I will not refuse His call. 

 

“In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me…” – Romans 15:17-18