Into the Wild is a nonfiction chronicle of Chris McCandless's life. After graduating from Emory University at age 22, McCandless gave away his money and traveled the western United States. He hitchhiked to the Stampede Trail in Alaska, where he began an ill-fated journey. With only 10 pounds of rice, a .22-caliber rifle, a camera, and some reading material, he set out to walk.
With no map and no compass, McCandless wandered down the trail until he found shelter in an abandoned bus. Two months into his adventure, he knew he needed to return to civilization, but without a map, he soon realized he could not navigate the Teklanika River back to safety. McCandless returned to the bus and, when his food supply was depleted, resorted to eating the toxic seeds of a wild potato plant. After 113 days in the wilderness, he died of starvation.
There is a popular bumper sticker among outdoor enthusiasts that reads, “All who wander are not lost,” but wandering is a real danger, especially among Christians. The point is driven home by the author of Psalm 119 in several places.
A holy life is maintained by “guarding it according to Your word.” Scripture is the map, and wandering from it leads one to be lost in the wilderness of sin. By definition, “wandering” means moving without purpose or a defined destination. The psalmist warns against living an aimless, unintentional life. That is why it is followed by the declaration, “I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” One does not haphazardly store something up. It requires planning and consistent effort.
By contrast, wandering is easy because it requires no exertion. A boat’s captain or an airplane’s pilot can find himself wildly off course simply by failing to pay proper attention. This is why the famous hymn says, “Prone to wander—Lord, I feel it—prone to leave the God I love.” However, Psalm 119 addresses the catastrophic consequences.
It’s easy to see why those who intentionally set a course away from God’s law receive God’s discipline, but according to this verse, those who simply “wander” from it are rebuked. They are cursed! Lest you think that wandering is always unintentional, read another passage in this chapter.
Christians cannot say, “But I didn’t mean to. I just wasn’t paying attention.” Those who “go astray” are labeled “cunning.” These are shocking words, and they’re meant to be. They should shake you out of your lethargy. They should remove any temptation to neglect the Map, because willful ignorance can end in unexpected calamity.
In the case of McCandless, he was unaware that he was only half a mile from a hand-operated river-crossing tram that would have helped him survive. He was a short distance from being safely at home, among friends and family, but his wandering cost him his life.
Let this serve as a warning to you, Christian. Do not be slack with the commandments of God.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Double, triple, quadruple-check the Map! Store up His word in your heart that you might not sin against Him or incur His discipline. Safety is nearby if you commit to guarding your way according to His word.