Trying to Get Lost

Have you ever intentionally tried to get lost? Decided that you would throw caution to the wind, leave the map, and head into the great unknown? Unless you have an uncanny taste for adventure and risk, I’m guessing probably not. What uncertainty and danger lie in such a thing. Such seeds of curiosity and reckless search were planted in me at birth I’m sure.

Like a seed, something had to prompt those within me to sprout. Growing up my greatest stimulant was my brother. I would have been content to sit in my room and read books and play school, but the Lord saw fit to give me an impulsive and inquisitive explorer. Perhaps it was just the boy in him, as well. But because of him, I did all sorts of things I would have never ventured to do on my own.

We’d head out to fields and forests and get lost. Not fully. Somehow we always found our way back. That was certainly due more to his navigational skills than mine (don’t ask me how I’m the offspring of one of the greatest Navy men to have ever lived.). Nevertheless, we’d find pure excitement and joy in exploring uncharted territory. How I miss it.

A part of me came alive that I would have never known was there had it not been for my brother. Over time the risk aversion of cautioners around me made me shrink back. And though that taste was still on the tip of my tongue, I opted for the number two as usual Alice.

I realized those seeds were intentionally put there though. I would need them again. I would need them now. When you become a follower of Christ it’s just like having a big brother daring you to leave your bedroom and go to that which is unknown. God asks us over and over again to leave that which is familiar and comforting to pursue that which He is calling us to. And the ask is for the very much and the very little. It is the giving up of habits and circles of acquaintances and jobs and zip codes and yes frightfully even of love (at least that which we think to be love).

I cannot count the things I have left and given, yet they pale in comparison to what my Savior has left and given for me. This I try to remember as I sit sullenly and waveringly when He comes asking me to step out again into the unknown.

I cannot count the things I have left and given, yet they pale in comparison to what my Savior has left and given for me.

In Matthew 16:24-25 AMP, Jesus speaks the following words to His disciples: “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me and for all eternity].”

I’m reminded of one of my and my son's favorite books, Pig the Pug. It’s about this selfish little dog who doesn’t want to share his toys with poor Trevor, the dachshund. Pig gathers all his toys, piles them high, and then sits on them to ensure Trevor can’t play with any of them. It’s not long before Pig begins to wobble and falls clear out the window. Thankfully, for a kid’s book, he doesn’t lose his life, but he does lose his mobility. And as for the toys, they are now shared.

It’s a perfect lesson even to teach little children that when we try to grasp and hold onto things we should have open hands to give away, we end up losing much more in the end. Sometimes we lose our peace and joy. Sometimes it’s the relationship we tried with everything in us to salvage and make work, though the Lord said to let it go. And sometimes it is our eternal life because we refuse to give ours to God trusting that He can do so much more and better with it than we can.

In our human minds, it’s risky to hand over the things we prize and covet to God. We assume He will take them and never give them back. We assume that there is no pleasure and fun in Him directing our steps. But can I assure you as I sit here trying to convince myself again, it’s better to get lost. On the other side of us losing all we thought we wanted is the greatest adventure and heavenly joy.

So pray with me: God help me get lost.

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