What are the first thoughts that go through your mind when you hear the phrase, “The Unknown”?  Is it:

• Fear
• Anxiety
• Scary
• Confusing
• A mystery
• Something to be avoided

If we think of The Unknown as a destination, it represents somewhere we have never been, and therefore have never had any experience with.  I’d like to introduce the following thought regarding The Unknown:

“Just because you’ve never been somewhere doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go there.”

Think about that for a moment.  What if you never:

• Traveled to a place you’ve never been before
• Attempted to learn something new
• Met people you didn’t already know
• Undertook something you’ve never done before
• Exposed yourself to different cultures and surroundings

What kind of impact do you think this would have on us?  What is the price we would pay in terms of the richness and quality of our lives if we always sought to avoid The Unknown?  Although I’m not exactly sure how you’d quantify that, I am certain the price would be quite high.

While The Unknown can be a scary place, and sometimes a place we didn’t choose to go, we shouldn’t be afraid of it simply because it is unknown to us.  For it can also be:

• Exciting
• Life changing in a positive way
• Filled with opportunity
• Full of adventure
• Eagerly awaiting your arrival to bestow unimaginable joy and blessings
• Where you’ll learn more about yourself than you every thought possible
• An experience you’ll be able to encourage others with

The next time you’re feeling nervous or scared about venturing into The Unknown, seek out someone who has been where you haven’t been or has done what you haven’t done yet.  For them, our destination is not unknown.  Their experience can give us the courage we need as we step into our Unknown.

Here’s a final thought:  Someone else’s scary Unknown is familiar territory for you.  When you come across these people, put an arm around them and encourage them as they step in.