Our Christian Adventure

The quiet breeze, now at our backs, gave us a temporary moment of relief. All morning, we had battled against the strong winds coming at us from the southwest across the lake. The only thing we could do to prevent our canoes from tipping over was point the bow into the wind and keep paddling no matter how big the waves got. What an adventure!

I’ve survived the Boundary Waters Adventure five times, first learning the terrain and skills needed to later lead a group of young adults through the wilderness. I’ve paddled the lakes with the same winds and waves each time. Not to mention the challenge of portaging hundreds of pounds of gear up hills, through mud and into mosquito-infested forests. Each and every challenge was worth it to experience the beauty of the forests and lakes, the peace and calm of moments away from civilization and the opportunity to spend some quality time with some of God’s people on the same adventure as me.

Like traversing Minnesota’s Boundary Waters in the heat of summer, our Christian walk is an adventure. God has called us to join Him on a journey to an unimaginably wonderful destination. Along the way we will experience all sorts of challenges. If we want to endure to the end of this adventure, we must be prepared with the essentials.

Essential #1: Vision

On the big lakes, with the wind blowing, it can be easy to mix up one point of an island with another. It can feel like your canoe has arrived at a turn when you still have an hour left to paddle. This can be very discouraging. As part of the preparation for the Boundary Waters trip the entire crew, especially the leaders, must be familiar with the path. They need to know where they are going and what the path is like up ahead. Keeping the destination in mind is an essential part of a successful adventure.

Our Heavenly Father hasn’t hidden His plan from us. His Word describes an amazing Kingdom filled with His eternal family and He has invited us to be part of that family: 

“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

When we can’t see where God is taking us, we stumble all over ourselves. We can become discouraged when we come across difficult trials and can’t see the end in sight. Knowing our vision and keeping it in mind is an essential part of a successful Christian adventure, because “where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18, King James Version).

Essential #2: Knowledge

In preparing for any journey, especially one that involves specialized equipment and skills, it’s essential to have knowledge of the equipment, terminology and terrain—as well as potential challenges up ahead. On the Boundary Waters there is a lot of knowledge needed for the adventure to be a success—parts of the canoe and the paddles, what to do if there is a thunderstorm, how to pitch a tent, how to get clean water, what to do if your canoe tips over in the middle of a lake and which path to take in the dark, to name a few.

In preparing for our Christian adventure through life it is essential to have the knowledge of who God is, what His plan is and how we can be part of that plan. The more we study God’s word, the more familiar we will be with what is in it. The Bible is where we learn the skills and qualifications to be a follower of Jesus Christ. This is where we learn about the difficulties ahead and how to handle them. As Paul wrote, 

“be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Two signs that indicate we are truly knowledgeable about the Word of God is when we can put it into practice and effectively teach others what we know. Peter wrote to “. . . sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). Familiarizing ourselves with the word of God is the beginning of gaining the knowledge we need to be successful in life as God’s people. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” and His word truly lights our path in darkness so we are never lost.

Essential #3: Supplies

The Boundary Waters of Minnesota have a lot of natural beauty including a variety of fish in its various lakes. The water looks clean but it’s not always clean to drink. While you can find food along the trails that are shared with bears, heading out on a week-long adventure without food and a way to get clean water is very dangerous. You need essential supplies to not only survive the journey, but to thrive. This includes basics like tents and canoes, adequate shoes and water filters, pots and pans for cooking, and something to light a campfire. One of the real challenges is taking only the essential supplies, otherwise the whole team is weighed down and it becomes more difficult to portage everything overland.

There are also essential supplies in our walk with Jesus Christ. We need water but not just any water. We need pure water directly from Jesus Himself: 

“But the water that I shall give [you] will become in [you] a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). 

Upon repentance and baptism, God gives us His Holy Spirit through which we are led and refreshed.

We also need spiritual sustenance so we might grow and have the strength to succeed on our journey. Jesus said that His food was “to do the will of” His Father who sent Him, “and to finish His work” (see John 4:34). We must follow His example by focusing our efforts and attention on doing our Father’s work. We prepare for our adventure by taking with us only the proper and essential spiritual food and water. If we weigh ourselves down with unnecessary baggage, such as sin and pride, then we won’t be able to complete our journey.

Essential #4: Teamwork

While there are some very experienced solo adventurers who have successfully navigated the Boundary Waters many times, part of the challenge of the United Youth Camp’s Boundary Waters Adventure program includes working together as a team. The more experienced leaders and the new participants all share in carrying each other’s gear, paddling together, reading the map and identifying landmarks, and encouraging one another so everyone has a more enjoyable adventure. We are all on the same path striving for the same goal.

The same can be said for our Christian adventure. While we each have an individual relationship with God, and we must “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12), we are all part of the same spiritual body on the same spiritual journey. 

“Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3). 

If we want to have a successful journey to the Kingdom of God and be prepared for working together with our spiritual family members for all eternity, then we must be prepared to work as a team right now.

Journeying as part of a spiritual team means learning how to forgive. It means learning how to avoid offending one another. It means sometimes letting others lead and encourage us and other times being the one who leads and encourages others. Working as a team means being willing to pick up the slack and humbly serve, not to be served.

 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). 

It personally gives me strength knowing that I am on this adventure with others, including my Father and Elder Brother, as well as countless brethren around the world praying for and encouraging one another through trials.

We are on a spiritual journey, a Christian adventure through life. Our God has called us to this adventure, a way of life that will lead us to His glorious Kingdom. If we want to answer that calling and have a successful journey, there are certain essentials that we must have: a vision of where we are headed; knowledge of how to get there; essential supplies that give us strength; teamwork to carry us through.