How deep do I go?

As a boy, I loved to travel deep into the woods around my home in search of areas I had never seen. When I happened upon a new place I would pause and make that all important decision; how deep do I go? The lure of exploration begged me to come deeper. It whispered my name like a lover, tickling my ears, and pulling me closer. Then I would go as deep as I could while still being able to see the path that led me to this new place. Eventually, you reach the point where you can no longer see the path that lead you to this new adventure. Now your heart begins to beat harder and your eyes become wild with fear and anticipation. Will you get lost? Will you stumble upon some terrible thing that means you harm? What if you don't make it out before it gets dark?

The thoughts and emotions create an adrenaline filled cocktail that pushes you forward with unfamiliar courage. Every sense is heightened, as you push deeper and deeper into the unknown. You know that there is a level of danger here, but you can't turn away from the temptation to loose yourself in this great adventure. Why? Because we were made to explore, to face danger, to be threatened, to be challenged, because we were made to overcome. It's in our DNA, it's how God made us. We were made to go forth and subdue all the creatures of the earth and rule over the land. That is our original design and even in our fallen nature, the original DNA begs to be heard; come deeper, push into the unknown, let go of what's safe.

Safe is our enemy. When we are "safe", the deepest part of our DNA, who we really are, slowly becomes lethargic and begins to die. It may feel like the life we want, but there is no life in it. A "safe" life is a subtle fragrance that lures us into a deep sleep from which we may never awaken. How safe is your life? What areas are you pushing into that are unfamiliar and dangerous? Have you stopped exploring? Maybe you came to a new place and experienced the thrill of the exploration and then "settled in", mistaking this place for a new home. In this life, there is no home. We are meant to be ever exploring, ever pushing into our own unknown area of adventure because that is what makes us stronger and wiser and more alive! Wake up! It's time to break camp and begin to once again explore the unknown!

How deep will you go?