Follow Us On An Excellent Adventure

People often ask me, “Why Excellent Adventure, Bill?” What qualities turn the daily grind of ministry into an adventure? And what makes it excellent, anyway?” I believe most people have a limited view of adventure. The first thing that usually comes to mind is some death-defying feat, like diving out of a perfectly good aircraft into the great unknown (all the while praying your parachute is functional). Whether your idea of adventure is soaring with the wind like a human kite or mountain biking through ravenous crests and canyons, you probably expect a thrilling adrenaline rush. The “Indiana Jones” style of adventure, however, is not the only kind that awakens and staggers the human soul. The fire of life is lit by the fuel of anticipation; and, we all crave something novel and liberating. This is exactly how I describe the life of faith! As we labor with God’s love behind and before us, sure in His promises and secure in His presence, we strive to fulfill Colossians 3:23. Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. Some would call this lifestyle “work,” but I reject the skewed priorities (and the lazy attitudes) that our society usually associates with the loaded term “work.” I have chosen, instead, to embrace “adventure.” As Christians, the adventure of our lives is letting the Holy Spirit recreate the life and words of Jesus in and through us. It’s not laid out for us like a corporate business plan. The life of faith is exciting and dynamic—moment by moment. Just for this moment, can we be faithful? While we seek the Lord’s guidance and plan for tomorrow, we must remember the tagline to our Christian faith—the Lord willing. Proverbs 27:1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” We are given just the next moment to be productive. As the great Charles Spurgeon wrote, “You are not going to have Monday’s grace given you on a Sunday, nor Tuesday’s grace on a Monday.” Just for this moment, can we be thankful? If we desire the adventure of a lifetime, we must discipline our hearts to a habit of prayer. Amidst chaos and swirling uncertainties, our turbulent souls can know peace in the presence of God. His Word is living and He will always reveal something to refresh our soul. We cultivate joy through giving thanks—thanks for His presence, for His Word, and for His divine kingdom adventure for our lives. I love the old story of the ministering Evangelist who sang “I Need Thee Every Hour” and then declared, “That was beautiful, but I am not sure I can ascribe to those lyrics. I believe I need Him every moment.” Major Daniel Whittle retired to his room and wrote the song Moment By Moment:

Moment by moment I’m kept In His love;

Moment by moment I’ve life from above; Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine; Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

In this incremental living, where moments become days and days fold into months and months transform into years, we are constantly in God’s plan. There is nothing accidental or random about our Lord and Savior. He has prepared a new adventure for each moment of our lives, and that is why I assure you that the adventure will be excellent! We are not on this earth haphazardly surviving. Yes, some adventures will be easy and others full of sorrow and pain… some will leave us with questions while others allow us to experience answers. Yet through it all, we are partners with Christ through His Spirit in the Father’s business. We are created to accomplish a set purpose in life. As someone once said, “Success is doing the will of God and doing it with the right attitudes in one-moment increments as He assigns the next adventure to our lives.” Don’t be lured by the world’s traps into useless, lethargic lives. The young in mind have potential for far more than endless hours of snap chatting and rating friends’ lives on the internet. The older generation has far more to look forward to than retirement and following partners around in search of meaning. Churches have a far greater purpose than filling the pews with people who enjoy Sunday church. Friends, we have a compelling opportunity every day to serve a living God! Ministry is a blast because, moment by moment, you can see where God is working and join Him on the adventure. You can minister for Jesus to the nations and families He has planned for you. You can encourage others to trade unfulfilled lives for hearts of faithfulness, thankfulness, and true excellence. Don’t wait for someone else. This day is yours, and it is a gift that comes but once. “Your personality is yours alone. Your calling and gifts are unique... your legacy can be

achieved by no one else on earth.”

~ Robert J. Morgan, Mastering Life Before It’s Too Late