You might get the impression when reading the phrase from my previous blog-post, "Snyders Are Tough" that the Snyder Rules are for tough-minded chaps (yeah, chaps:-) who are ready to take on all the convoluted roads of life with a stiff-upper-lip and a Hey-Ho. But remember, these "Rules" are a shorthand for normal joes like me. For those who speak courage as a second language and who, looking down the road to the first bend, see only the dim uncertainty beyond.
That uncertainty brings us to one of my best loved family rules. It is, "Snyders Take the Adventure that Comes to Them."
An echo of this phrase is found in the Chronicles of Narnia (a book series every child should read and love as much as mine do!). It comes in the book, The Silver Chair, at a crucible moment. Will the adventurers (Jill, Scrubb, Prince Rillian, and Puddleglum the Marshewiggle), bear the danger, ford the uncertainty, and walk the path in front of them, or will they stay securely (and fatally, as it turns out) hidden away in Prince Rillian's room?
"Doubtless," said the Prince, "this [shield] signifies that Aslan will be our good lord, whether he means us to live or die. And all's one, for that…let us descend into the city and take the adventure that is sent us."
This choice leads to all sorts of adventure and many a precarious situation in which they scrape and scribble through (as Aslan intends). The point though, is that without the choice to take that adventure that was sent to them, they would never have prevailed.
I want this for my kids! When God sends the adventure, I want my logician to do the thing that doesn't make human sense and I want my emoter to be the true friend who says that hard thing that might bring emotional disequilibrium for a while. For myself, I have to do the weird, outside-of-my-skillset thing that the military, or love, requires (boot camp...or blessing a house with oil--wait, what???). For Liz, she has to learn new ways of playing the piano (lead sheets vs music, in-ear monitors and click tracks) or new ways of leading a bible study (hello Zoom!)
For those who dream it might mean letting them go wild with their dreams, but also pointing out the uncomfortable journey they might have to take in order to accomplish that dream. For those who plod along, one foot in front of the other, head down, it might mean encouraging them look up and notice the grand opportunity and indication of direction that God is graciously placing at a junction in their path. The adventure is sent to everyone, it's just up to us to take it.
Noah took that 70ish year divinely-sent adventure when God told him to build an Ark and live in it (Gen 6). Abraham had to take the adventure of leaving Haran and heading to that far country all based on lick and a promise (Gen 12). Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter (Hebrews 11), Deborah led Israel and "co-led" armies (Judges 4), Esther became King Xerxes' queen and saved Israel (Esther), Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went into the furnace and came out the other side (Daniel 3), Daniel survived the lions (Daniel 6). Shall we mention Peter, the fisherman, who preached to 3000 or Paul who was shipwrecked for Jesus? The list goes on, and doesn't end with biblical examples. Church history is full of unlikely acounts of men and women who let their adventure-making God direct their steps.
For my family, six years ago God opened the door to a life as an active duty Chaplain. Liz and I stepped through that door (truthfully, Liz had more courage than I did and kindly encouraged me to see God’s *obvious* leading) and into this adventure. That choice was followed by a stint in bootcamp, multiple separations, moving every 2-3 years, new schools, new churches, new friends, new environments….frankly the most consistent thing in our lives over the last 6 years is newness!
So, when my children (or Liz, or myself) are struggling with both expected or unexpected change, I remind them that God is writing our story. Heading to a new school and finding it necessary to do the next right thing even though it's unnerving? Take the adventure that comes. Learning a whole new preaching style in order to minister to the Gospel Service? Take the adventure that comes. Recording a discussion about our marriage for thousands to watch? Take the adventure that comes (also, sit up straight, stick to the outline, don't act weird! Ack!) Remember, whatever the adventure is, God sent it. Like Aslan, he will always be our good Lord and we need to follow his leading.
So as our lives unfold before us, Snyders look each other in the eye and say, "today we will take the adventure that comes to us!" What about you? What new opportunity is God placing before you? Are you scared? Are you nervous? That's fine! We are too! But be brave and know that God is going to write your story and use your faithful choice to take that adventure for your good and God’s glory!
Comments