I have a friend who used to participate in a wilderness activity called “force hiking”. At least I think that’s what he called it. It was a backpacking expedition over rugged terrain, with minimum shelter, meant to test the physical limits of the hiker. Many years ago, we were catching up after not having seen each other for a long time, and I told him a couple of stories from my infantry days. He said, “I actually think I’d like infantry training; it’s like force hiking with a purpose.”
I’ve been thinking a lot about that sentiment lately for reasons I won’t go into. But the direction of that particular line of thought brings me to a fairly obvious conclusion: our lives, to be truly meaningful, must have a purpose. We all know people who are adventurous, who collect experiences the way some people collect stamps or coins. Some are “adrenaline junkies”: mountain climbers, skydivers, etc. And there is nothing inherently wrong with these activities and experiences, but sadly, some people pursue them wholeheartedly, only to find that a kind of emptiness remains.
Or look at it this way. It’s fun to just drive around, right? Just cruise, talk, enjoy the scenery. But isn’t it always more exciting to be GOING somewhere? The pleasure of the drive, the scenery, the conversation, with the added benefit of a destination! This is what my friend was saying about the hiking he had done. He enjoyed the physical rigors and challenges, but it would have been more satisfying if it were being done in pursuit of something noble, something that meant something to others. From my own experience, I have shared with you that I suffer from a fear of heights. While in the Army and Guard, I got to ride several times in helicopters. Doors open most of the time, feet just inches from the doorway. And amazingly, the only time I was ever nervous was the ONE time I cadged a ride on a chopper just for fun. It wasn’t part of a training exercise or anything like that; I just wanted a ride for me and a couple of soldiers who had never been on one. Somehow, that made a difference; as part of a mission, the risk was canceled out. As an unnecessary adventure, it seemed foolish.
Don’t get me wrong. We must play, we must relax. Vacations are legitimate, and God built a sabbath rest right into the order of creation with a seven-day week. But to pursue travel, adventure, fun, experiences in general; to dedicate a significant portion of our time, energy, and resources to seeking things that bring us pleasure, ultimately will leave us feeling empty. Ultimately, our lives mean nothing unless our lives mean something to other people. What can we be doing on a regular basis that is an investment in our fellow man? What can we do with our lives that will make a difference, will mean something?
Blaise Pascal wrote, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the creator, made known through Jesus Christ”. To me, this means that the best thing I can do is to play some role in making Christ known to people. Of course, this means verbally sharing my faith, but it also means walking through difficult times with people, meeting tangible needs, and generally serving people. For the adventurer, longing for a challenging new environment, it might mean spending time on the mission field instead of climbing a mountain, etc. Every thrilling experience is made richer by infusing it with the meaning that can only come from connecting it with the mission God has given us. And He has given us, ALL of us, a tremendous gift, a tremendous privilege, and a powerful tool with which we can change lives and change the world. I’m talking, again, about prayer. Many of you have commented on the impact Joab Fischer’s message made on you, and I echo that sentiment. His delivery was so down to earth and matter-of-fact as he simply related examples of the many times he had
