The Adventure Waits For Us!

The Adventure Waits For Us!

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14 NIV

Did you ever think back on your life and wonder what your eighteen-year-old self should have done differently? What would you tell yourself if you could go back?

1. Buy some stock in Apple.

2. Don’t take Latin as your foreign language choice in high school because how many ancient Romans have you bumped into lately?

3. Wear more sunscreen.

Maybe most of all, I’d tell myself not to be afraid of the future. Let’s face it. Life comes with its share of heartaches and hard times, but don’t things have a way of working out in the long run? I told you last week that most of us fight change with everything in us because it intimidates us to leave behind what’s comfortable and familiar.

Haven’t you realized by now though that no one gets very far in life if you stick to what you already know and stay where you’ve already been? The only way to move forward is to actually take that step through the open door in front of you. Ultimately there are no greater adventures in life than open doors. It was C. S. Lewis who said, “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

By now you and I realize that God rarely calls each of us to the same thing. Our lives will look as different as we are and as unique as the gifts God has given to each of us. But a true call from God to move forward will bring us to a place of deeper dependence on Him. If your vision of what God has for you is something you feel totally capable of in your own power, then you’re not seeing the whole picture. God will always call you higher and deeper that you can go on your own. And here’s what I’ve discovered: no one in the Bible immediately responded with “I’M READY” when God called. Instead, they often gave a list of excuses as to why God should have chosen someone else.

Those Bible characters were just like you and me!

It’s our willingness to go through those open doors that we don’t expect or feel prepared for that turns our lives into great adventures. And we often face greater adventures than we could’ve imagined for ourselves when we trust God to lead the way.

My friend, if you open yourself to the life God has for you, it probably won’t look like the one you had planned . . . but it’ll be infinitely better because you’ll be living a life of purpose! Why not try to trust God’s plan for your future. Chances are, He probably won’t ask you to buy Apple stock, learn Latin, or wear more sunscreen!



Thank you for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement. It’s not copyrighted so feel free to share it with someone who needs encouragement today. And, if you’re a regular attender of the Mt. Laurel Church of God or regularly watch our Facebook live feed, consider reading Romans 13:8-14 to get ready to worship with us this coming Sunday, September 6 as Pastor Dale shares some good news from God’s Word for you.

Called to know the Way, go the Way, and show you the Way,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.