There’s something about the masculine soul that craves risk and adventure. Men weren’t created for monotony. In a world that often feels too structured and predictable, there is deep longing to step outside the box, break free from the mundane, embrace the unpredictable, and rise to the challenge. It isn’t recklessness; it’s a desire to test our limits, venture beyond the familiar, discover beauty and wonder, prove we have what it takes—and feel fully alive.
That longing was rekindled in me on a recent backpacking trip with my boys. The route was planned, but as we hiked, we stumbled upon a deer trail cutting through the woods. Something about it called to us—maybe the mystery of where it might lead, or perhaps the thrill of stepping off the beaten path. The more we talked about it, the more excited we got. We decided to follow it.
Hours passed, and the organized, structured world we’d left behind faded from our minds. We found ourselves huddled over a map and compass, calculating our location, and double checking our food supplies to be sure we had enough if we needed to spend another night on the trail. We weren’t lost—not really. We knew where we weren’t…we just weren’t sure where we were. We knew we’d been following a creek. We knew the creek led to a trail. We knew could retrace our steps if needed. But we had time, and the sensation of not knowing exactly where we were, testing our limits, and pressing forward was exhilarating.
My boys loved it. In fact, it was their favorite part of the trip. We shared pictures of the overlooks and the waterfalls, but this was the story they told. It’s the kind of adventure the masculine soul yearns for. It’s about more than just the physical journey. It’s about breaking away from the routines, leaving the neat and orderly, and truly living. It taps into the same spirit that settled America. The spirit of blazing trails and discovering something new.
It seems, as men we are created for it. Jesus often went to the wilderness to meet with his Father. It is where Jacob wrestled with God, where Moses encountered the burning bush, and where Elijah heard the whisper of God passing by. It’s where Jonah sulked under a withered vine and where Paul met Christ. Something about wild places, off the beaten path, strips away distractions and brings us face-to-face with the Creator.
It seems, on deer trails I meet with Jesus. In the quiet moments when the noise and clutter of the world fall away, in the unplanned, the uncertain, in the wild and wonderful unknown, His presence feels the closest. It’s in the wild places where I find clarity and purpose, where I’m reminded of who I am and who He’s called me to be. Perhaps it’s because there, when the path is unclear, we’re reminded to rely on Him.
As we step into 2025, let’s commit to more of those adventures. Life isn’t lived fully on neatly ordered plans. Let’s step off the trail, both literally and metaphorically. Let’s take some risks, venture beyond the familiar, and discover the beauty and wonder that only comes when we leave the comforts of predictability behind.
Let’s be brave enough to embrace the adventure God has placed before us. After all, life’s greatest joys aren’t found on the paved paths. They’re waiting out there in the wilderness, just off the trail.
