What does ‘extreme’ mean?
Recently I read a book called ‘Wild Nights’ by Phoebe Smith, adventurer and outdoor writer. It’s all about some extreme camping challenges she set for herself.
And as Phoebe set out on her wild camping trips it made me wonder, “What exactly is adventure? And what does extreme really mean?”
As someone who used to equate these terms with being incredibly active and doing adrenalin-boosting things, but now can’t do so much of either, these are important questions….
One of my favourite outdoor activities is walking up a mountain or hillside alone soaking in the beauty of the natural world, maybe taking a photo or two. Not particularly extreme.
Or is it?
To some people it would be…
If you’ve never been in a wild upland environment before the remoteness could seem pretty scary (wot, no people!) especially if the weather turns. I’ve never moved so fast in my life as when trying to outrun a mountain thunderstorm (horizontal hail really hurts by the way). To me however, it’s just normal. I’m used to it.
What is adventure?
And adventure – does it even have to be extreme to be classified as this?
According to my rather large Readers Digest dictionary adventure is “an unusual, exciting and daring experience” and “excitement associated with danger or the taking of risks.”
But I think whether something is adventurous is mostly about how you perceive the planned activity. Where I’d see a walk in the mountains as pretty low risk (depending on what I planned to do of course…) because I have lots of experience and ability, a novice would likely see it as risky because of the unknowns and probably less personal ability.
Anyone can have an adventure!
But I don’t think adventure has to involve perceived danger or risk. ‘Exciting’ or ‘unusual’ are the key words for me. And they are surely subjective…
Exciting could be experiencing a murmuration – starlings swooping and dancing in beautiful patterns overhead as the sun sinks beneath the horizon. And taking the family for a countryside picnic dressed as Wombles is certainly unusual!
There are plenty of adventures for everyone.
What would Jesus say?
Adventure is a big theme of the Christian life. When Jesus was still a toddler, He became a refugee fleeing for his life to Egypt (Matt 2: 13-15). And as a man, He travelled far and wide meeting people from all backgrounds and cultures (e.g. Luke 7: 36-39; Mark 7: 24-30). He comforted and cared for them (e.g. John 14:1, 27), loved unconditionally and provided sustenance for many (e.g. John 6: 1-11). But he also stood firm on the truth and wasn’t afraid of persecution (e.g. Luke 19: 45-47). He could do all this because He regularly communicated with His Father (e.g. John 17; Mark 2:35), received guidance and power from Him and channelled it into everything He did.
And the best thing?
If you’re a believer, you can do the same:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these” – John 14: 12 (NIV)
I believe Jesus is saying: “Come on! Choose life with me. It’ll be wild!”
It’s definitely the best adventure I’ve had so far. And surely the most extreme journey of all. Jesus came so we could experience life to the full (John 10:10) and I certainly intend to do that!
How about you?