The Goliath Expedition
Karl Bushby may be the most inspiring story of determination ever; and you’ve probably never heard of him. Karl is attempting to be the first human in history to walk an unbroken path around the world. His journey is dubbed the Goliath expedition. Originally from Hull England, Karl gave himself 2 rules when he started. First, he cannot use any form of transport to advance: no cars, boats, vehicles or any other form of transportation other than his own body. The second rule was he cannot return home until he finishes.
He has been at this for 27 years! His journey started in Punta Arenas, Chile in 1998. Since then, he survived the infamous Darien gap between Columbia and Panama. This is a remote stretch of jungle filled with the deadliest animals, insects and swamps known to man, not to mention being full of drug cartels and rogue militias. He fought off ice lumps through the Bering Strait—this is the ice bridge that connects North America to Russia, which took 14 days of non-stop walking and swimming. This made him the first human in modern history to walk across the Bering Strait. He also swam 186 miles across the biggest lake in the world, the Caspian Sea, which took him 31 days, making him the first human to ever do so.
Despite these highs, there have also been lows. He has been arrested, imprisoned, gone hungry, lost friends, has been low on money and had to fight Visa issues in various countries. Karl arrived in Europe on May 3, of 2025. He expects to arrive home by September 2026.
When I first read his story, my initial reaction was, “WHY!?” I have many questions…How is he funded? Does he have a family? Does he have any friends? Is he a Psychopath? Maybe you are thinking the same types of things. One thing is sure, his determination is inspiring!
I find Karl’s journey very similar to the Christian Journey. The moment we become believers we start our very own Goliath expedition. We engage in a spiritual battle that is intended to grow us, mature us and make us spiritual powerhouses. Yet, at the same time, it discourages us, confounds us, can cripple us and at times can even make us quit. The Christian life can be the most exciting and the most discouraging expedition we ever engage in. It will require grit, determination, courage and faith. Yet, “to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” (Romans 2:7)
Listen to the profound words of the Apostle Paul who wrote a letter from prison around 60-62 A.D. to the church at Philippi. He told them the following, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)
In essence, Paul is writing a letter of encouragement to fellow believers to not give up, but to keep pressing on toward the goal of finishing their race despite their circumstances. What is the prize? Heaven! Where a reward awaits all of us that persevere to the end.
Just a few years later, between 64 and 65 A.D. Paul would write his last letter to his protégé Timothy saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Today, many ask of Christians the same question I asked of Karl, “Why?!” Paul tells us why: a crown of righteousness, will be our award! Be encouraged. You can persevere in this Christian life because of Jesus who persevered. Wherever your race takes you and whatever highs and lows you experience, keep going, finish well. For, “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11b)
He has been at this for 27 years! His journey started in Punta Arenas, Chile in 1998. Since then, he survived the infamous Darien gap between Columbia and Panama. This is a remote stretch of jungle filled with the deadliest animals, insects and swamps known to man, not to mention being full of drug cartels and rogue militias. He fought off ice lumps through the Bering Strait—this is the ice bridge that connects North America to Russia, which took 14 days of non-stop walking and swimming. This made him the first human in modern history to walk across the Bering Strait. He also swam 186 miles across the biggest lake in the world, the Caspian Sea, which took him 31 days, making him the first human to ever do so.
Despite these highs, there have also been lows. He has been arrested, imprisoned, gone hungry, lost friends, has been low on money and had to fight Visa issues in various countries. Karl arrived in Europe on May 3, of 2025. He expects to arrive home by September 2026.
When I first read his story, my initial reaction was, “WHY!?” I have many questions…How is he funded? Does he have a family? Does he have any friends? Is he a Psychopath? Maybe you are thinking the same types of things. One thing is sure, his determination is inspiring!
I find Karl’s journey very similar to the Christian Journey. The moment we become believers we start our very own Goliath expedition. We engage in a spiritual battle that is intended to grow us, mature us and make us spiritual powerhouses. Yet, at the same time, it discourages us, confounds us, can cripple us and at times can even make us quit. The Christian life can be the most exciting and the most discouraging expedition we ever engage in. It will require grit, determination, courage and faith. Yet, “to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” (Romans 2:7)
Listen to the profound words of the Apostle Paul who wrote a letter from prison around 60-62 A.D. to the church at Philippi. He told them the following, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)
In essence, Paul is writing a letter of encouragement to fellow believers to not give up, but to keep pressing on toward the goal of finishing their race despite their circumstances. What is the prize? Heaven! Where a reward awaits all of us that persevere to the end.
Just a few years later, between 64 and 65 A.D. Paul would write his last letter to his protégé Timothy saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Today, many ask of Christians the same question I asked of Karl, “Why?!” Paul tells us why: a crown of righteousness, will be our award! Be encouraged. You can persevere in this Christian life because of Jesus who persevered. Wherever your race takes you and whatever highs and lows you experience, keep going, finish well. For, “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11b)
Posted in Notes from Pastor Adrian
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This One Thing I do; Keeping my eyes on Jesus, the Author & Sustainer of my Faith!