Traits of an Explorer
In each of us, there is an explorer’s heart. We all have a need to learn more, discover more and do more. Even from infancy humans are exploring. Kids try to utter words until they can finally speak, they crawl until they can finally walk, they take risks and learn how to navigate the world around them, and oftentimes, to the consternation of their parents, these infant explorations result in a few bumps and bruises. But such is life, and as we grow older, exploration of the world around us shapes who we are. We as Christians know we can’t explore the unknown alone, so we rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us in every new adventure and exploration. We trust in Him and in that faith we find our path. Below we highlight the traits of an explorer as we see it, there are undoubtedly many more traits we haven’t listed, but this is a great place to start. We hope you enjoy them.
Focus: It’s easy to lose focus, especially in a world filled with distractions. But if you lose track and where you are headed, your age of exploration will turn into a time of fleeting thoughts and no forward movement. Focus on the task at hand. Live simply and take it one step at a time. “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.” — Proverbs 4:25.
Preparedness: Be ready for whatever might come. Benjamin Franklin said, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." Only a fool thinks he will escape any challenge or hardship. Strengthen yourself in the Word of God and be a watchful guardian. Always come prepared and always plan ahead. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8
Independence: Explorers are independent and never follow the crowd. To explore what is unknown, you can’t be in the herd. You have to break away and discover new lands. Be ready for new adventures and immune to social pressures. Explorers need to be independent from the world, but totally dependent on God. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” — Romans 12:2
Perseverance: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.” — Winston Churchill. Perseverance is someone who sees victory through the dark clouds of opposition. They do not quit, they do not lay down, they move forward in faith, and they always believe the best is yet to come. “But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.” — Matthew 24:13
Curiosity: Curiosity opens new doors and leads to new paths. It is the wonderment of what lays beyond. It’s the question that must be answered. A curious mind is an active mind and it will keep you young. Keep searching and never limit your curiosity. “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.” — Proverbs 25:2-3
Risk Taker: The greatest risk of all...is never risking at all. You won’t always have the answers, so, don’t shrink from the idea of risk, but instead, embrace it and be prepared for it. Taking a risk is what can launch you ahead in life. Without risk, you will suffer no great defeat, but the flipside to that coin is — without risk, you will never taste victory. When we risk it on the Lord He is always there for us and His promises endure forever. “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.” — Mark 10:29-30
Resilience: A key to fast progress is being able to quickly bounce back and recover from difficulties. If you wallow in your defeats, you will remain stuck. As long as there is breath in your lungs and life in your limbs you are still in the fight. Times get tough, but they will remain tough depending on how you face them. “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Creativity: Creativity is putting your imagination to work. There is a lot inside of you, but many people are too fearful to show it. Nothing strangles creativity like the fear of what others might think. Be original and let your creativity fly. “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” — Psalm 139:14
In Him,
Tim and Will