Road Trip Nation
Fast Company did an article on Road Trip Nation (RTN) in the November issue.
I have to confess that I'm totally entralled with RTN. I'm not sure what it is, but I love the concept. We did some videos during our Game of Life series that were inspired by RTN. We turned our 1985 15-passenger Dodge Ram into "Big Blue Nation."
I think part of my resonance with RTN is that I'm a big beliver in the value of a spiritual pilgrimage. These guys hopped into an RV and drove it on a 17,342 mile lap around America! They refused to take the "safe road" to a "safe career." I think more Christians need to take more pilgrimages to really discover their passions, callings, and giftings. We're too safe and too structured.
Part of it is that I'm a big believer in pursuing your God-given passions. And that usually means taking "the road less traveled." Way too many people walk on the safe side of the sidewalk. They never satisfy their craving for wanderlust. They end up settling like an old house. I never want to "settle down." I love Haggai 1:14, "God stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel." The NLT says, "Sparked the enthusiasm."
RTN Brand
What's amazing to me is the way Road Trip Nation is becoming a brand.
Starbucks is hosting RTN workshops. Microsoft is donating fifty career kiosks to help students find their path. California State is offering a five-week RTN class. MTV has proposed a reality show where students get voted off the RV.
I think it reveals a fundamental need. We all need a God-given dream to chase.
When the RTN founders met with Howard Schultz, founder of Starbucks, he said to them that success shouldn't be their target. Success is the by-product. Michael Jager, founder of a desgin firm said the same thing in different words: "When you really magnify what it is you believe in and follow it, the world conspires for you." So does God!
Start your engines.
Put the pedal to the metal.
Go Off Road
I have to confess that I'm totally entralled with RTN. I'm not sure what it is, but I love the concept. We did some videos during our Game of Life series that were inspired by RTN. We turned our 1985 15-passenger Dodge Ram into "Big Blue Nation."
I think part of my resonance with RTN is that I'm a big beliver in the value of a spiritual pilgrimage. These guys hopped into an RV and drove it on a 17,342 mile lap around America! They refused to take the "safe road" to a "safe career." I think more Christians need to take more pilgrimages to really discover their passions, callings, and giftings. We're too safe and too structured.
Part of it is that I'm a big believer in pursuing your God-given passions. And that usually means taking "the road less traveled." Way too many people walk on the safe side of the sidewalk. They never satisfy their craving for wanderlust. They end up settling like an old house. I never want to "settle down." I love Haggai 1:14, "God stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel." The NLT says, "Sparked the enthusiasm."
RTN Brand
What's amazing to me is the way Road Trip Nation is becoming a brand.
Starbucks is hosting RTN workshops. Microsoft is donating fifty career kiosks to help students find their path. California State is offering a five-week RTN class. MTV has proposed a reality show where students get voted off the RV.
I think it reveals a fundamental need. We all need a God-given dream to chase.
When the RTN founders met with Howard Schultz, founder of Starbucks, he said to them that success shouldn't be their target. Success is the by-product. Michael Jager, founder of a desgin firm said the same thing in different words: "When you really magnify what it is you believe in and follow it, the world conspires for you." So does God!
Start your engines.
Put the pedal to the metal.
Go Off Road
2 Comments:
Hey Pastor Mark...read your article in Outreach and decided to check out your church & bog. Really great stuff. I pastor in NJ (outside of NYC) and you really have opened my eyes to the tremendous opportunity of reaching people through blogging. You guys are doing an awesome job....
Fred McCarthy, Oasis Christian Centre, Rahway NJ, OasisForYourLife.com
Fred,
Enjoying surfing your site. Thanks for saying "hi." I'd love to meet in person. It'd be cool if you could make it down for our Buzz conference.
Mark
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