“All those who wander ARE lost.”
No disrespect to J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote “Not all those who wander are lost” in The Fellowship of the Ring. But either he was wrong, or we incorrectly interpreted him. Millennials have fallen in love with wanderlust, a term, most likely inspired by Tolkien’s quote, that has become a recent movement. Multiple Pinterest travel boards are full of wanderlust quotes and even wanderlust inspired tattoos. It is an appealing term to millennials because we are at an age where we are desperate to “get out” and to “see” the world, and here the world is encouraging us! The world tells us that there should be more to life than just getting a job that keeps you tied down in one place. Wanderlust embodies that idea of escape and getting lost.
It’s easy to see how this term of desiring to travel and getting lost in the world has sparked inspiration for so many. There are so many people who are quitting their jobs to travel the world, advice articles for solo travel, how to travel when you don’t have the money...and the list just goes on and on. And I’m here to tell you that we need to stop it. Before you get offended because it’s your dream to travel, or you’re already traveling, let me explain. It’s not the actual act of traveling we need to cease, (heck go out and grab adventure by the tail, hang on for dear life and enjoy the ride!) however it’s the idea behind wanderlust.
I am telling you we need to kill it. Before you get offended because it’s your dream to travel, or you’re already traveling, let me explain. It’s not the actual act of traveling we need to cease, (heck go out and grab adventure by the tail, hang on for dear life and enjoy the ride!) however it’s the idea behind wanderlust that we ought to kill.
Wanderlust’s main idea is to wander. Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines wandering as “not keeping a rational or sensible source” and “characterized by aimless, slow, or pointless movement.” Simply put, wandering is pointless. We should not ever desire to live life aimlessly and without a goal. In fact, we should learn from a very important group of people, that there are consequences of this trending idea, wanderlust.
The Israelites.
Yes, the famous group of believers that were promised a land flowing in milk and honey. However, the Israelites lost an entire generation to wanderlust. They were right on the edge of the promised land and they backed out. In the face of “danger” they pleaded to be sent back into the wilderness in order to wander, and even die. (Numbers 14: 2-3) But, thanks to Moses’ intercession, God pardoned their faithlessness. However, it had a consequence. AN ENTIRE GENERATION MISSED OUT ON THEIR PROMISE. God had already given them the land, they only needed to take it! But because of fear, and aimless movement, the people did not take it. 40 years, the Israelites were stuck in their prison of wanderlust. They had lost vision.
Vision, as defined on dictionary.com, is the ability to see or the act/power of anticipation that will or may come to be. It is the exact opposite of wandering, vision has a point and a purpose. Millennials are called to have vision NOT wanderlust. Especially Christians, as we are called to be in the world not of the world (see John 17:14)
“...and your young men shall have visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.” Acts 2:17
Millennials have the power to anticipate what will happen. We should go in being prepared for what might be at the destination’s end. Don’t miss out on your promised land. There are three specific ways we can apply the Israelites lesson to ourselves:
- There is a journey to be made.
Have no fear, adventure is indeed out there! Remember to not mistake your journey for wandering. There is a specific destination you should strive to reach, but there are lots of adventures along the way. - When we mess up, it’s ok.
Like God was with the Israelites in wilderness, God is always with us. He is our Redeemer and will guide us back when we have become lost. So it’s not a matter of if, but when we mess up. We are human and that’s ok. Live and learn and gain wisdom from the experience.
“For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows you are going through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.” Deuteronomy 2:7
- Vision is meant to inspire.
Your purpose will push you to journey on. When you dive into God’s word and soak in all of Him there is no way you can walk on uninspired. You can look it up. Inspire literally means “God breathed” in the Greek.
We are not a “lost” generation, nor should we desire to be. God has a plan of action for every single person. IF only we would seek the Lord’s will in our life, we will not end up like the lost generation of Israelites. Don’t fool yourself and get lost in an aimless direction. Discover your journey and walk with God for the best adventure of all, your life!
Replace your wanderlust with a vision. Then surely, at the end of it all you can look back and see what you have accomplished with your life instead of having excess mileage and no fruit.
(written October 21, 2016)
