The Call To Adventure

An ad in London newspaper in the early 1900s read, “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.” It was placed by British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton in preparation for his National Arctic Expedition, which subsequently failed to reach the South Pole.



Frodo Baggins of The Shire from The Lord of the Rings did not expect such an adventure lies ahead of him. He was just like any other ordinary Hobbit enjoying life, but one fateful night came and a great task was upon him. He was called to embark on a journey that will forever alter the course of history of Middle-Earth. Dangerous as it sounded, he answered that call and adventure began.

Whatever it is, a call to do something big is always risky and dangerous.

Centuries ago, one man came into the world to make a call similar to Sir Ernest Shackleton’s but he was different. This man was Jesus Christ and his call is still knocking on the heart’s door of everyone here today.

Jesus’ call was, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What good is it for a man if he gains the whole world but yet forfeits his soul?”
What a call.

Being a true follower of Jesus will not guarantee you trouble-free and will not guarantee that your life will be a bed of flowers. Many pastors and evangelists give the call of salvation with sweet baits such as, “When you receive Jesus, he will clear all your problems and your life will change.” “Jesus will help you with all your trouble and will make sure you have none.” Although there are truths in those sentences and many alike, that is not the real message that Jesus gave to us. His real message is hard to swallow and until today many Christians still do not know what it takes to be a true follower of Jesus.

Jesus’ call is one that asks us to deny ourselves, to rid ourselves off our selfish desires, wanting and ambitions. It is a call for us to reach out and get the desires of God. Jesus’ call is one call that guarantees nothing but trouble and hardship, and also an eternal life in heaven. Jesus’ call is one that bids us come and die that we may truly live in Christ.

Jesus’ call is one that is hard to accept and one that not many Christians want to know of.

However the call to adventure still beckons to everyone who confesses that they are Christians.

Will you answer it? Or will you wait and see what happens?


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