My father was a pastor of small churches, and often needed to have one or more jobs to provide for his family on top of his pastoral work. When I was around the age of 11, our family was invited to spend a school year in Russia as orphanage missionaries. In order to make this work out, Dad had to sever his employment income and our family literally auctioned off almost everything we had to finance the trip (he didn't own a home). We embarked on the adventure with a few possessions tucked away in storage, the clothes/supplies in our luggage, and no plan for our life's income or wellbeing or housing once the mission project was over and we returned to the States.
Most folks would have probably thought we were crazy... and perhaps we were :) However, I look back upon that moment in time/life as a pivotal point. It was through their example that I learned what it really means to go from living in the comfort zone to letting go and living in the adventure zone! It was in many ways a freeing feeling to let go and embark on a mission of faith, trusting that God would take care of the ending.
In looking back upon many of the endeavors I have undertaken as a young adult, I realize that it was the Russia experience that my parents led our family through that set the stage and prepared my mind for a world of possibilities and gave me the courage/confidence to step out of my comfort zone and pursue endeavors that many folks my age never attempt. Not all of my endeavors have been home-runs or even base hits. But my parents led the way in my life by being willing to sacrifice for a greater good and showing by their example of risking their short-term benefits for a long-term reward that the rewards and benefits to living in the adventure zone far outweigh the short-term benefits of a life spent only in the comfort zone.
Joshua Jantz
www.cavemanwebsites.com
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