Around the World in 80 Days

Although I have not gone far I definitely feel that I have been on a journey.

The debate that propels Phileas Fogg on his epic voyage, around the world in 80 days, takes place in the Reform Club. Some of those considering the possibility of the challenge wish that they could make the journey themselves rather than wagering on it. Jules Verne describes the scene.

“The noble lord, confined to his armchair, would have given his whole fortune to be able to travel around the world, in ten years even; and he bet four thousand pounds on Phileas Fogg.” 

The challenge of my current journey revolves around a constant choice between the armchair and the adventure. There are always excuses that can be made about why we should follow the line of least resistance. Worry can easily lead to analysis paralysis and limit our horizons and our selves. 

The Danish philosopher and theologian Søren Kierkegaard commenting on this dynamic wrote:

“To venture causes anxiety, but not to venture is to lose one's self.... And to venture in the highest is precisely to be conscious of one's self.”

Faith grows at the intersection of fear and risk

Transcript

Day 80

A lot has happened in 80 days but Phileas Fogg famously circumnavigated the world in less time than I have been wearing my external fixator. I have not been around the world in 80 days, in fact I have not left Ontario. I have not driven a car, walked, or been able to complete simple tasks like putting on my own shorts, carrying a drink to my desk or having a shower.

Although I have not gone far I definitely feel that I have been on a journey.

The debate that propels Phileas Fogg on his epic voyage takes place in the Reform Club. Some of those considering the possibility of the challenge wish that they could make the journey themselves rather than wagering on it. Jules Verne describes the scene.

“The noble lord, confined to his armchair, would have given his whole fortune to be able to travel around the world, in ten years even; and he bet four thousand pounds on Phileas Fogg.” 

The challenge of my current journey revolves around a constant choice between the armchair and the adventure. There are always excuses that can be made about why we should follow the line of least resistance. Worry can easily lead to analysis paralysis and limit our horizons and our selves. 

The Danish philosopher and theologian Søren Kierkegaard commenting on this dynamic wrote:

“To venture causes anxiety, but not to venture is to lose one's self.... And to venture in the highest is precisely to be conscious of one's self.”

Faith grows at the intersection of fear and risk. (That last line was me not Kierkegaard)

The story of Abraham begins in Genesis 12 with a call from God.

“The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” (12:1) 

Asked to leave all that gave him security, identity and comfort he obeyed without knowing the destination. He believed God’s word that as he stepped forward in faith more would be revealed. Journeys of significance often start with little steps. Abram saying yes to the Lord brings a new name, a great promise, a new identity and an incredible legacy. Faith is less a leap in the dark than a step in the light. 

Venture leads to adventure.

Fogg and his companions travel by train, when the railway tracks come to an end hire an elephant to continue, they cross oceans by ship, and use most forms of travel available in the 19th Century although not in fact in balloon which was only added in the movie adaptation. For all the different transportation, the journey starts and ends on foot.

“Phileas Fogg, having shut the door of his house at half-past eleven, and having put his right foot before his left five hundred and seventy-five times, and his left foot before his right five hundred and seventy-six times, reached the Reform Club”. Jules Verne, “Around the World in 80 Days”

This comical description accurately describes that all journeys are made by putting one foot in front of the other. It is something I continue to aspire to.

A song we used to sing at SU Camp in Scotland comes to mind.

“One more step along the world I go
One more step along the world I go
From the old things to the new
Keep me traveling along with you 

And it's from the old I travel to the new
Keep me traveling along with you 

As I travel through the bad and good
Keep me traveling the way I should
Where I see no way to go
You'll be telling me the way, I know 

And it's from the old I travel to the new
Keep me traveling along with you 

Give me courage when the world is rough
Keep me loving though the world is tough
Leap and sing in all I do
Keep me traveling along with you“ 

It is a song about travelling the world but not a journey that is completed in 80 days.

I have not been in a balloon yet either but I continue to experiment with different kinds of transportation.

Today I am thankful that God gives us strength for the journey he calls us to. I am grateful for companions on the way who continue to encourage me from armchair to adventure. 

My friend Arlen and I exchanged some thoughts on this

“Two thoughts. (1) Phileas Fogg did not/could not make the journey alone. Neither could Abram. Neither can you nor I. (2) You quote Verne (who himself did not go around the world in 80 days) talking about the gentleman who would loved to have gone if he could, and talk about making choices between the armchair and the adventure. How many adventures come from those restricted to the armchair (or jail or infirmity  or  . . .)?  Paul's epistles, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, King's "Letter From a Birmingham Jail," and the many hymns of the blind Fanny Crosby come readily to mind. Even the inspired musings of Hop-along Nigel fit the profile.  So, continue to plan for when you leave the armchair for the adventure but don't get discouraged in your confinement. God is still working through the small spaces you can manoeuvre in.”

I replied: “Arlen both good thoughts. 🙂 The armchair I had in mind was more metaphorical than physical. Absolutely agree that confinement and limitations can be platforms rather than cages. I also think you could argue that deserts and prisons and enforced limitations provide a lot of the context for the Biblical narrative and are a key part of the adventure of faith.”

Arlen again: “Absolutely Nigel. What hope we get from these. From God showing up in the book of Daniel to the phenomenal insights in Lamentations (especially chapter 3) to the Psalms you have been reading. It shows me how big God is and how little I really understand”. 

There is a connection between understanding and imagination which reflects our current reality and shapes our future.

One of the oft quoted lines from “Around the World in 80 Days” is “Anything one man can imagine, other men can make real.” Science Fiction as a genre is an art form that underlines the truth of this.

In 1864 Jules Verne wrote a dystopian vision of a technologically advanced society that values commerce but places no value on art and literature. “Paris in the 20th Century” was rejected for publication as it was deemed too unbelievable and unrealistic. Set in 1960 it features a young man living in a city with gas powered cars, skyscrapers made of glass, computers that can send messages around the world, calculators, underground trains, high speed railways and wind power. It also covers the growth of education, the rise of feminism and the advent of the suburbs. 

Many of the things he imagined were made real. 

Paul writing to the Ephesians prays that they will experience something he is imagining for them from his imprisonment.

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (3:16-19)

I don’t know what is occupying your imagination today, what plans you have or future you long for but there is nothing better than realising the depth of God’s love and the dimensions of this that lie beyond the frontiers of knowledge.

Paul carries on to say that not only is the love and power of the Lord beyond understanding it is also beyond anything we can ask or imagine.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (3:20-21)

So after 80 days I am thankful for love that goes around the world and through all generations. I am grateful for imagination and the doorways it opens to inspiration, expression and progress. I am all the more thankful that God’s nature and purposes transcend both my understanding and my imagination.

Which is just as well really.