Saddle Up

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8

Sherwood Elementary

We lived in Sherwood Forest on Robin Hood Drive. Our subdivision in a small bedroom community outside Seattle, cradled adventure behind every tree. My brother and I were determined to take part.


Our adventuring hearts ultimately landed my mom in the principal's office of Sherwood Elementary. Though the principal is the highest ranking official in the life of young kids, we didn't let him snatch our fun. While our mom discussed some issue around behavior, we behaved like a couple of bandits. 


Sherwood protrudes from a large hill as an unsightly profile shot - a hill steep enough to guarantee fun. Still small enough to sit in a stroller, my brother repeatedly raced to the top of the hill, let my stroller go and let me barrel down as he galloped behind to catch me. I sometimes wonder if that were the precise moment I gave my heart unreservedly to adventure. I was made to be a Robin Hood...or at least a Maid Marion.


You can determine if you have Robin's heart with this simple test. If your spouse came home tonight, told you to pack a bag in ten minutes because your flight to Paris leaves in an hour would you squeal with delight or shake with fright? But what if I told you God has planted His heart of adventure in every one of us?


Faith is the ultimate adventure. God asks every one of us to saddle up and ride into the forest of faith. Behind every tree and down every hill are new thrills. Whether our natural bent is to ride or hide, we need to embrace the adventure of faith. 


The fathers of our faith left us trail markers to follow. Their footprint was faith in action. Yes some, like Moses, questioned their ability. Others, like David, occasionally wandered off the marked trail. All followed God on an incredible adventure.


What is the most thrilling thing God could ask you to do? What is the most terrifying? Surprisingly they might be one in the same. Are you ready to saddle up?

(If you're reading this over email, visit ShannonMilholland.com to view the music video to "The Great Adventure" by Steven Curtis Chapman)