Life on the edge of civilization is Frontier Living!
Living on the edge of civilization has always enticed me. Fleeing from the big cities, looking for the mountains where snow and cold reign! Yearning for the life that has fewer people around me. Yes. The conveniences are few, and the hardship may be more challenging, but knowing that there are fewer people surrounding me is very enticing!
It’s the rugged edge of existence!
A Viking, or one of those intrepid European explorers that sailed west from Europe in the 1400s, not knowing if the end of the world really existed as many feared. I could have just as easily been on the quest for territory as promised by God to Abram when he left his home and traveled west until God said he had arrived!
Even yearning to experience the “Westward Ho!” movement that began when a new continent was explored. I’m not even sure I would have been within a wagon train! I’m almost certain I would be on my horse, by myself, scouting the route that others would follow! (Pathfinder!)
Who I Am
This is probably why I’ve always enjoyed the novels from James Michener, Louis L’Amour, James Fenimore Cooper and all those science fiction writers that point to the stars! And, I’ve enjoyed those writers that paint the picture of life after civilization ends! (Pat Frank, Nevil Shute, etc.)
A strange thing for a person who pastors, and who enjoys teaching, and loves being around my family, one might say. But there should be in all of us that part of life that is always searching for the rugged edge of civilization. Pushing the boundaries of knowledge as scientist and astronomers are wont to do.
Yes… “Wont” is a word, not just a contraction of Will Not!
“Likely to do something: having a tendency to do something.”
~Websters Dictionary
In my old career in IT, we used to say that we are either on the “bleeding, leading or dull edge” of technology. Bleeding meant you were in the throes of dealing with the brand new stuff just coming out and generally unproven. Leading meant you used the latest and greatest technology as available. Dull simply meant you were the last to the game, buying the stuff as it is marked down in the salvage bin.
Do you understand this concept? In my old career in IT, we used to say that we are either on the "bleeding, leading or dull edge" of technology. Which one were you? Which one are you today? Click To TweetNow, before you think I’ve vaulted into the deep end, I do enjoy my creature comforts! That’s probably enough to keep my rugged edged desire from becoming too true! But that still leaves me wishing for uninhabited lands and I find many of my searches solved by reading good books and having a good imagination.
Travel Bug
I will say this is why the travel bug has bitten… I want to see places outside of my comfort zone! When we travel, I want to see how the “locals” live! That is why I’ve enjoyed Bruce Feiler’s stories and videos, trekking into the lands of the Middle East, exploring the pathway of the bible, coming to grips with life back then, and how it’s lived today.
Choose Adam and Eve living before there were other humans! Wow! Or, Noah and his family are the last of humanity! How about Abram as he heads to the promised land, and I can imagine beyond the words in the Good Book.
What was life outside of their comfort zone? Scripture does not paint a long drawn out narrative of what it must have been like during these times, but my imagination can surmise a lot.
I’m okay with that!
How about you?
Where do you draw the line? I know people who do not want to live more than a couple of minutes from conveniences – stores, mall, entertainment, you know, the trappings of civilization. When they do decide to venture away from creature comforts, well, they want to take their world with them. Have you ever looked at the hunting gear that fills the stores? Or the RV’s that dot the landscape? (I do want one so I don’t have to pay hotel space!)
Take a look at earlier sports teams or Olympic Games – their gear was so sparse! Their clothing so basic. No name brands. No sponsers spiffing up their outfits or tools of the trade. Watch the bow and arrow crowd – (I have my own compound bow that is 40+ years old) – it seems no one can shoot without gadgets complicating the simple task of hitting the bullseye! Where are the Robin Hoods?
Here’s My Thought Today
I’m yearning for a broader vision to see past my own comforts. Yes, aging is an issue. So are the finances. But to put it a little bluntly, “I ain’t getting any younger!” Maybe it’s time to push the envelope a little bit. Trim down the stuff so I can more freely enjoy the boundaries.
Take this how you want to, but it seems scripture focuses on solo and boundary experiences where you hear directly from God as you give him your undivided attention. Solo prayer and fasting, studying the Word, praise, and worship, and reaching those that are already on their personal rugged existence.
Jesus reached a community (Samaria) when he spoke with the woman at the well (John 4). Solo. Out of the comfort zone of others to help carry the conversational load, or to confront the sinner.
Philip carried the mission on as he preached Christ to Samaria and personally witnessed to the Eunuch from Ethiopia (Acts 8).
The same was with Saul (Paul) on his trip to Damascus! He had a personal encounter with God, and Ananias had his own solo conversation with the same God (!) that gave him his focus to reach out to Saul. (Acts 9)
Cornelius heard from God in a vision to call for Peter, all the while, Peter was having his own vision. Each was solo in their search, but God connected them to each other for a revival! (Acts 10)
What Am I Saying
What am I saying? There are crowd experiences that we all love, and enjoy. Even if you are introverted (I am!). But often, the true focus of our strength is utilized when we get out of our comfort zones and move to the rugged edge and focus on the will of God.
You do not get to heaven on the back of crowdsourcing or funding. Your church, family, and civilization make your world secure. True. But when you step out of your personal comfort zone and move closer to the rugged edge you begin to see your personal potential.
It’s lonely out there. You depend on the few that travel with you more greatly than you ever thought. But you develop your dependence and relationship with God by extending yourself away from the comforts of home.
One Last Thing
Though we know the crowd followed Jesus, he needed his solo time to renew his strength. Quiet, and out of the way, up the mountains, or in the garden, private focused prayer. It was his personal rugged edge of life that gave him the strength to face the cross. And that was a rugged edge that most of us never hope comes our way!
This kind of strength does not come from a fickle crowd. It only comes from personally drawing away and spending quality time out there. In prayer. Praise. Worship. Word.
This rugged edge? It’s where my strength is tested, but it’s also where my strength is forged. Think about it.
Are you ready to test yourself? Where’s your rugged edge?