Be Wary Of Wanderlust

“‘Wanderlust’ is lust (or ‘desire’) for wandering. The word comes from German, in which wandern means ‘to wander’, and Lust means ‘desire’. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)”

Now before you get all riled up inside, take a couple of deep breaths and hear me out. :) 

To start, on a personal note I don’t like the word “wanderlust” as it is giving acclaim and approval to the word lust. But, when used in the context of traveling and going on adventures in moderation, wanderlust is totally fine. With that said, do not forget the word moderation. Meaning, “avoiding extremes of behavior or expression : observing reasonable limits : calm, temperate” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). For all who avoid temperance and who keep wandering will eventually become lost. Or at the very least be in diversion from growth, responsibility, and their divine destiny. 

Life can be fun, and should be! Yet if life is only about fun, life will never be fulfilling. Fun, travel, exploring, and play are like sugar for the soul. You’ll get a quick high, but never receive lasting nourishment. 

So what are the meat and potatoes of life? 

A: Things that take time. Things that are messy, difficult, frustrating, and painful. Things like... getting an education, constructing a career, learning new habits, developing new gifts, planting our faith, finding a spouse, having children, and building an eternal family. These things will never be as easy as booking airfare or going off-roading. But that’s the point. The things that matter most cannot be bought, traveled to, or developed in an instant. They always take time to acquire. A lot of time!

Many of the rising generation love to have fun and travel. But I feel strongly, that if they are not careful, they are trading-in a future feast of eternal fulfillment for a bowl of marshmallow cereal. The sugars of life are okay to have in small doses, but should never be the main course of mortality. 

In the words of Robert Frost…

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

Let us each take the road less traveled by. This road is uphill, long, and filled with trials, struggles, and hardships. But is the only path that perfects patience, creates character, develops diligence, refines relationships, and leads to a summit of deep beauty, lasting joy, and eternal happiness.