If you keep track of my Facebook profile, you will notice my status has a quote from the book "Kon-Tiki." It is a narrative of 6 men who decide to travel across the Pacific Ocean from Peru to the Polynesian Islands. They decide to do this for adventure and to prove it was done hundreds of years ago by the Inca Indians who lived in Peru. These people, according to Thor Heyerdahl's theory, used a balsa wood raft, to travel across the ocean and start a new civilization in the Polynesian Islands. At the time the theory was not even considered because people thought it was impossible to do such a task with the unforgiving, treacherous sea elements. Heyerdahl wrote a manuscript explaining his theory backed with facts with which he presented to many scholars, but it was not even considered for reading. His life was devoted to this manuscript, and no one even wanted to read it because of the impossible task of crossing the sea in a raft for 4300 miles. So he, in a desperate attempt to save his theory and redeem his faulty scientific research, came up with a daring, life threatening plan. He would cross the Pacific Ocean on an exact, ancient replica of the raft used hundreds of years ago which were built by learned and experienced Incans. He round 6 quirky men to join him, and their journey began.
I love this book. The story makes me want to do the exact same thing. It exemplifies curiosity and adventure; something we all have deep down. The quote posted on my Facebook profile is when the men were half way across the sea. Already had they made it farther then what people speculated. Fish, whales, sharks, squid, turtles, and the raft had become a part of them. The raft was their home on the sea and they were attached to the new lifestyle. Occasionally, a little rubber buoy was taken out, away from the raft in order to take pictures, meditate, swim, and take in the plain blue beauty around them. However, despite the beauty and relaxation the buoy offered, the men began to grow lonely and homesick if they stayed out for too long. One time the buoy was nearly swallowed by the huge waves and a man almost did not make it back to the raft. They ended up attaching a rope to the buoy because they were always attracted back to the raft; their home. There was a magnetic force pulling them into the the only home they knew and grew attached to over the months. This reminded me of something...
It reminds me of my walk with Christ. Often I stray away from Him. I wander off because of curiosity and the longing for finding adventure; by myself. The more I grow independent from my earthly parents, the more dependent I am, therefore, becoming on God. My situation is similar to the men on the Kon-Tiki raft. Their home whispered their names whenever they strayed away for too long. Every time I wander off on my own and try to be independent from God, I pathetically come crawling back eventually. I think this might apply to most Christians as well. If it can happen to people on a raft out in the middle of the ocean, I am sure it can happen to all of us. And the cool thing about it is this. God always welcomes us back. Just like home always welcomes us in again. Were never locked out.
Wow Dillon, well written! You are absolutely right; I too have experienced this many times in my life! That sounds like a great book. You are growing in so many ways Dillon...I'm so proud!
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Mom xxoo
I am familiar with this Kon-tiki story. I saw the movie about the book when I was very young. Your analogy is very good and accurate. We all wonder and go astray, but come back to God as we feel the separation.
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