Journal 2006 06 30
Return to Traveler’s Rest
The Corps arrives at the place still named Traveler’s Rest because of their need of rest and the ability of this place to provide it. They plan on spending at least two days resting.
Sergeant Gass’ Journal
“Monday 30th. We continued our march early and had a fine morning. When we were ready to set out, we saw a deer coming to a lick at the hot spring, and one of our hunters shot it. Two hunters went on ahead. At noon another went out a short time, and killed a fine deer. We halted for dinner at the same place, where we dined on the 12 of Sept. 1805, as we passed over to the Western ocean. After dinner we proceeded on, and on our way found three deer that one of the hunters had killed and left for us. In the evening we arrived at Travellers'-rest creek, where the party rested two days last fall, and where it empties into Flathead (called Clarke's) river, a beautiful river about one hundred yards wide at this place; but there is no fish of any consequence in it; and according to the Indian account, there are falls on it, between this place and its mouth, where it empties into the Columbia, six or seven hundred feet high; and which probably prevent the fish from coming up. Here we encamped and meet with the hunters.”
Have you ever noticed the return trip is different than the initial exploration? You already know the way, so curiosity is no longer an attraction. You’ve seen the landmarks, so the drive to explore is relegated to adding details to your foundation of knowledge. And in this situation, these men are anxious to get home and tell the world that they made it and are all alive, so any desire to spend days on frivolous curiosity is lessened.
Human nature is a funny thing, isn’t it? Plentiful fine deer, no dog meat or salmon, and expectation of fine elk. No worry of starvation and hardship. No great fear of warring Indian tribes. Yet once again, the word “march” is used to describe today’s work. Journey, expedition, exploration and proceeding on are replaced by “march.”
And when they arrive it is noted in the journals that the horses have come through the initial 156 miles of mountain travel in fine shape. But because they know the place so well and it was such a place of refreshment for them last September the “new revised” schedule calls for a couple of days of rest. Pursuit of the prize called for “proceeding on.”
Captain Lewis describes an incident of the day as follows, “…in descending the creek this morning on the steep side of a high hill my horse sliped and both his hinder feet out of the road and fell, I also fell off backwards and slid near 40 feet down the hill before I could stop myself such was the steepness of the declivity; the horse was near falling on me in the first instance but fortunately recovers and we both escaped unhirt.”
Today we recount this as great adventure. It illustrates the traverse was rough, yet the Corps was not challenged because the way was familiar to them.
We tend to live in familiar places where our excitement is determined by near mishaps and a dangerous or difficult process rather than pursuing a calling shouting so loud to us that the process is merely a requirement of the prize. It should be no wonder why our countrymen attempt to find value and meaning in pursuits that amount to daredevil stunts rather than the advancement of the human condition. Our lives are not consumed by our passions to find, explore and conquer. Somewhere in our hearts we hear a distant echo of the call to adventure.
I certainly find myself living in the familiar vestiges of the “return march” rather than the tractor beam like pull of the adventure into the unknown. I profess today to not look to those friendly familiar places for the destination God has ordained. I don’t know what those places look like. But I know the echo reverberating in my heart tells me they are still to be found. Jehovah God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth knows. And it is His good pleasure to reveal the hidden things to us. It is our good pleasure to pursue Him to secret places where only brave men can go. My prayer for us today is that He answers that echoing call and begins to direct and call us as He reveals those hidden treasures to those of us in need of His leading.
Proceed On.
Inspiration for today from America's Greatest Expedition, the Corps of Discovery!
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
A Warm Bath
Journal 2006 06 29
A Warm Bath
“both the men and indians amused themselves with the use of a bath this evening. I observed that the indians after remaining in the hot bath as long as they could bear it ran and plunged themselves into the creek the water of which is now as cold as ice can make it; after remaining here a few minutes they returned again to the warm bath, repeating this transision several times but always ending with the warm bath.” Captain Lewis’ Journal
After about twenty miles today, passing their September 13th camp and other familiar landmarks, the men stopped at a favorite spot of their hosts and guides – hot springs!
How much of a hardship would it be for us to miss out on our daily hot shower or bath? I can only estimate the amount of whining and complaining at my house if the shower or hot water were unavailable for a day, let alone months. And honestly, I’d be complaining just as much as all the females would be.
Captain Lewis also records that he realizes that two horses under his responsibility were left behind. He sends Joseph Fields and John Colter back to retrieve them. They do. They also bring dinner. A deer they took along the way. The Corps was out of oil and were facing a meal of roots without salt or oil. All were grateful for their daily provision and the ever increasing hunting skills of future mountain man John Colter.
The message on my heart and mind today is a simple one. Do we delight in the work of those who have gone before us? Do we understand the fruit of civilized life we enjoy today is because of the constant march forward by men less coddled than us? Do we understand our place in the forward march of history? If so, can we move to the edge of comfort to advance something beyond the limits of human revelation and knowledge? Can we trust that God has the wisdom to place us in this time and place to have the same desire to discover and obtain the unknown? Would we live any differently if we did?
So, enjoy the shower, don’t make it the highlight of our day. Let’s be grateful for the men who had the foresight to build the infrastructures that delivers the water from the mountains to the reservoirs and pipes that flows cleanly out of the faucet mindlessly whenever we turn the handle. I’m choosing to set my mind to be more grateful.
Today, the object lesson will be a tough one for those of you who have saunas, hot tubs or steam baths. Soak in the healing heat, hit the cold water and know that you are like men of history in the invigorating restoration of fire and ice to revive your heart and soul as it touches your flesh.
Proceed on.
A Warm Bath
“both the men and indians amused themselves with the use of a bath this evening. I observed that the indians after remaining in the hot bath as long as they could bear it ran and plunged themselves into the creek the water of which is now as cold as ice can make it; after remaining here a few minutes they returned again to the warm bath, repeating this transision several times but always ending with the warm bath.” Captain Lewis’ Journal
After about twenty miles today, passing their September 13th camp and other familiar landmarks, the men stopped at a favorite spot of their hosts and guides – hot springs!
How much of a hardship would it be for us to miss out on our daily hot shower or bath? I can only estimate the amount of whining and complaining at my house if the shower or hot water were unavailable for a day, let alone months. And honestly, I’d be complaining just as much as all the females would be.
Captain Lewis also records that he realizes that two horses under his responsibility were left behind. He sends Joseph Fields and John Colter back to retrieve them. They do. They also bring dinner. A deer they took along the way. The Corps was out of oil and were facing a meal of roots without salt or oil. All were grateful for their daily provision and the ever increasing hunting skills of future mountain man John Colter.
The message on my heart and mind today is a simple one. Do we delight in the work of those who have gone before us? Do we understand the fruit of civilized life we enjoy today is because of the constant march forward by men less coddled than us? Do we understand our place in the forward march of history? If so, can we move to the edge of comfort to advance something beyond the limits of human revelation and knowledge? Can we trust that God has the wisdom to place us in this time and place to have the same desire to discover and obtain the unknown? Would we live any differently if we did?
So, enjoy the shower, don’t make it the highlight of our day. Let’s be grateful for the men who had the foresight to build the infrastructures that delivers the water from the mountains to the reservoirs and pipes that flows cleanly out of the faucet mindlessly whenever we turn the handle. I’m choosing to set my mind to be more grateful.
Today, the object lesson will be a tough one for those of you who have saunas, hot tubs or steam baths. Soak in the healing heat, hit the cold water and know that you are like men of history in the invigorating restoration of fire and ice to revive your heart and soul as it touches your flesh.
Proceed on.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Covering the Hard Way
Journal 2006 06 28
Covering the Hard Way
“…the whole of the rout of this day was over deep snows. we find the traveling on the snow not worse than without it, as the easy passage it gives us over rocks and fallen timber fully compensate for the inconvenience of sliping, certain it is that we travel considerably faster on the snow than without it.”
Captain Lewis records what all the men observed today. Specifically that it was better to travel on top of seven feet of crusted over snow than crawl over the trees that littered their path like giant pick-up sticks last September.
The men were cold, hungry and near starvation as they traversed this area last fall. The blown down trees were like hurdles to a sprinter. Even “such hardy travelers as we have become” remembered the difficult traverse and found the slippery, steep path through the snow preferable to the “fair weather” path of last fall.
This choice of hardships is one we face daily also. But before we get there the men find their first signs of elk and send off two hunters to pursue meat. They will dine on a soup made from roots they obtained from the Indians and speak favorably of it. They prefer meat. I’m sure the memory of being relegated to eating their horses and starvation nine months earlier has circulated to the forefront of their memories.
The horses are hungry and the expedition stops for the night thirteen miles into the day’s journey because of the quantity and quality of grass found on the south slope of an Idaho mountain. The horses are refreshed with food and rest.
A thick blanket of winter’s work covers the obstacles that attempt to trip up and discourage these hard-working young men and anyone attempting to gain victory over these “terrible” mountains. We have obstacles that stand in opposition to our daily advance to something greater and just over the horizon. Which mode of travel do we prefer? Do we even have a choice?
In our hearts, where our spirits reside, we can choose. Do we choose to the way of hardness, hewn from bitterness and disappointment, leaving stones that we continue to stumble over? Or do we make that simplest of heart choices and allow our “hearts of stone” to be covered over by work performed in our absence? In the winter of the Spirit of God Jesus shed his blood to cover our sins and deliver a new way of living to us. Do we see it? Or are we afraid of it? Better for the horse’s hoofs to sink two to three inches into the snow and our moccasins to slip rather than fight the battle of the blow-downs. But the “new way,” the better way doesn’t look like it at first.
We are one week into summer. A new season. The snow of the work of winter provided easy travel to our tough travelers. It is the same for us today. In His winter He made a path while we were unaware of our need of help. His work of winter was shedding His blood to cover the hardness of our sin. Do you see it? Will you walk on it at His leading? Join me. We may still find the going rugged and we may slip. Compared to the other choices, we see that the beauty of His designs and provisions far exceed our own. Amazing! Proceed on.
Covering the Hard Way
“…the whole of the rout of this day was over deep snows. we find the traveling on the snow not worse than without it, as the easy passage it gives us over rocks and fallen timber fully compensate for the inconvenience of sliping, certain it is that we travel considerably faster on the snow than without it.”
Captain Lewis records what all the men observed today. Specifically that it was better to travel on top of seven feet of crusted over snow than crawl over the trees that littered their path like giant pick-up sticks last September.
The men were cold, hungry and near starvation as they traversed this area last fall. The blown down trees were like hurdles to a sprinter. Even “such hardy travelers as we have become” remembered the difficult traverse and found the slippery, steep path through the snow preferable to the “fair weather” path of last fall.
This choice of hardships is one we face daily also. But before we get there the men find their first signs of elk and send off two hunters to pursue meat. They will dine on a soup made from roots they obtained from the Indians and speak favorably of it. They prefer meat. I’m sure the memory of being relegated to eating their horses and starvation nine months earlier has circulated to the forefront of their memories.
The horses are hungry and the expedition stops for the night thirteen miles into the day’s journey because of the quantity and quality of grass found on the south slope of an Idaho mountain. The horses are refreshed with food and rest.
A thick blanket of winter’s work covers the obstacles that attempt to trip up and discourage these hard-working young men and anyone attempting to gain victory over these “terrible” mountains. We have obstacles that stand in opposition to our daily advance to something greater and just over the horizon. Which mode of travel do we prefer? Do we even have a choice?
In our hearts, where our spirits reside, we can choose. Do we choose to the way of hardness, hewn from bitterness and disappointment, leaving stones that we continue to stumble over? Or do we make that simplest of heart choices and allow our “hearts of stone” to be covered over by work performed in our absence? In the winter of the Spirit of God Jesus shed his blood to cover our sins and deliver a new way of living to us. Do we see it? Or are we afraid of it? Better for the horse’s hoofs to sink two to three inches into the snow and our moccasins to slip rather than fight the battle of the blow-downs. But the “new way,” the better way doesn’t look like it at first.
We are one week into summer. A new season. The snow of the work of winter provided easy travel to our tough travelers. It is the same for us today. In His winter He made a path while we were unaware of our need of help. His work of winter was shedding His blood to cover the hardness of our sin. Do you see it? Will you walk on it at His leading? Join me. We may still find the going rugged and we may slip. Compared to the other choices, we see that the beauty of His designs and provisions far exceed our own. Amazing! Proceed on.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Such Hardy Travelers As We Have Become
Journal 2006 06 26
Such Hardy Travelers As We Have Become
Sgt. Patrick Gass’s short journal entry reads, “We had a cloudy morning and at 8 o'clock we renewed our march, proceeding over some of the steepest mountains I ever passed. The snow is so deep that we cannot wind along the sides of these steps, but must slide straight down. The horses generally do not sink more than three inches in the snow; but sometimes they break through to their bellies. We kept on without halting to about 5 o'clock in the evening, when we stopped at the side of a hill where the snow was off, and where there was a little grass; and we here encamped for the night. The day was plesant throughout; but it appeared to me somewhat extraordinary, to be travelling over snow six or eight feet deep in the latter end of June. The most of us, however, had saved our socks as we expected to find snow on these mountains.”
I haven’t quoted much of the other men’s writings but this utterly human recording of the “march” is so different and earthy than the Captains logs that it seemed good to start today’s piece with it.
The Corps has just reentered the “tremendous” and “terrible” mountains they were so glad to escape from last September. They reach and pass their camp of last September 18th to reach a patch of grass their Indian guides knew would be clear to feed the horses.
“…about one mile short of this encampment on an elivated point we halted by the request of the Indians a few minutes and smoked the pipe. on this eminence the natives have raised a conic mound of stones of 6 or eight feet high and on it's summit erected a pine pole of 15 feet long. [2] from hence they informed us that when passing over with their familes some of the men were usually sent on foot by the fishery at the entrance of Colt Creek in order to take fish and again met the main party at the Quawmash glade on the head of the Kooskooske river. [3] from this place we had an extensive view of these stupendous mountains principally covered with snow like that on which we stood; we were entirely surrounded by those mountains from which to one unacquainted with them it would have seemed impossible ever to have escaped; in short without the asssistance of our guides I doubt much whether we who had once passed them could find our way to Travellers rest in their present situation for the marked trees on which we had placed considerable reliance are much fewer and more difficult to find than we had apprehended. these fellows are most admireable pilots; we find the road wherever the snow has disappeared though it be only for a few hundred paces. after smoking the pipe and contemplating this seene sufficient to have damp the sperits of any except such hardy travellers as we have become, we continued our march…”
Here, Lewis, Clark and Gass all refer to this trip home as a march. I don’t recall them using that term for any portion of the westward journey. Already their minds are set on their next destination, Traveler’s Rest. That friendly place of repose where they hope to see new old friends and find the same rejuvenation found their last fall. Sounds like a group with their sights set on getting home. They already know the obstacles before them and move with confidence toward conquering them with speed.
What most catches my attention this day are two things. First, Lewis note that the sight from their perch was snow covered mountaintops in all compass directions would “damp the spirits of any except such hardy travelers as we have become…” Unconquerable. Indominatable. Fearless. Supremely confident. Have we worked at a level that it has trained and steeled us against the most formidable obstacles? Today, let’s embrace hard work and seemingly unbeatable obstacles as training that brings supreme confidence when facing those barriers again. Experience gained in battle. No substitute for the man who has been through hell and tempered by the heat. As Pastor Norm Willis often says, “If you’re going through hell, make it a short trip!” But it is in the heat of persecution and trial where our bodies, wills and spirits gain a strength they don’t contain without exposure to trial.
Second, like the Jacob and Laban, Moses and Joshua, Joshua and Caleb the Indians had erected a monument of stones to mark a place of remembrance to them. Jacob and Laban set a “witness pile” that served as a boundary to their families. Moses, Joshua and Calebs monuments were as remembrances to the miraculous deliverances of Jehovah God as He parted the waters and they crossed over to new lands.
Got any of those places in your life? Places where you look around and realize that something special has happened? The familiar places are no longer seen and insurmountable mountains are seen at every degree of the compass dial? Enjoy the view! Erect a pile of rocks to mark the spot and trust that God would not have you there if you had not been in training to overcome.
Be captured by the moment. Commemorate it. Keep marching and proceed on.
Such Hardy Travelers As We Have Become
Sgt. Patrick Gass’s short journal entry reads, “We had a cloudy morning and at 8 o'clock we renewed our march, proceeding over some of the steepest mountains I ever passed. The snow is so deep that we cannot wind along the sides of these steps, but must slide straight down. The horses generally do not sink more than three inches in the snow; but sometimes they break through to their bellies. We kept on without halting to about 5 o'clock in the evening, when we stopped at the side of a hill where the snow was off, and where there was a little grass; and we here encamped for the night. The day was plesant throughout; but it appeared to me somewhat extraordinary, to be travelling over snow six or eight feet deep in the latter end of June. The most of us, however, had saved our socks as we expected to find snow on these mountains.”
I haven’t quoted much of the other men’s writings but this utterly human recording of the “march” is so different and earthy than the Captains logs that it seemed good to start today’s piece with it.
The Corps has just reentered the “tremendous” and “terrible” mountains they were so glad to escape from last September. They reach and pass their camp of last September 18th to reach a patch of grass their Indian guides knew would be clear to feed the horses.
“…about one mile short of this encampment on an elivated point we halted by the request of the Indians a few minutes and smoked the pipe. on this eminence the natives have raised a conic mound of stones of 6 or eight feet high and on it's summit erected a pine pole of 15 feet long. [2] from hence they informed us that when passing over with their familes some of the men were usually sent on foot by the fishery at the entrance of Colt Creek in order to take fish and again met the main party at the Quawmash glade on the head of the Kooskooske river. [3] from this place we had an extensive view of these stupendous mountains principally covered with snow like that on which we stood; we were entirely surrounded by those mountains from which to one unacquainted with them it would have seemed impossible ever to have escaped; in short without the asssistance of our guides I doubt much whether we who had once passed them could find our way to Travellers rest in their present situation for the marked trees on which we had placed considerable reliance are much fewer and more difficult to find than we had apprehended. these fellows are most admireable pilots; we find the road wherever the snow has disappeared though it be only for a few hundred paces. after smoking the pipe and contemplating this seene sufficient to have damp the sperits of any except such hardy travellers as we have become, we continued our march…”
Here, Lewis, Clark and Gass all refer to this trip home as a march. I don’t recall them using that term for any portion of the westward journey. Already their minds are set on their next destination, Traveler’s Rest. That friendly place of repose where they hope to see new old friends and find the same rejuvenation found their last fall. Sounds like a group with their sights set on getting home. They already know the obstacles before them and move with confidence toward conquering them with speed.
What most catches my attention this day are two things. First, Lewis note that the sight from their perch was snow covered mountaintops in all compass directions would “damp the spirits of any except such hardy travelers as we have become…” Unconquerable. Indominatable. Fearless. Supremely confident. Have we worked at a level that it has trained and steeled us against the most formidable obstacles? Today, let’s embrace hard work and seemingly unbeatable obstacles as training that brings supreme confidence when facing those barriers again. Experience gained in battle. No substitute for the man who has been through hell and tempered by the heat. As Pastor Norm Willis often says, “If you’re going through hell, make it a short trip!” But it is in the heat of persecution and trial where our bodies, wills and spirits gain a strength they don’t contain without exposure to trial.
Second, like the Jacob and Laban, Moses and Joshua, Joshua and Caleb the Indians had erected a monument of stones to mark a place of remembrance to them. Jacob and Laban set a “witness pile” that served as a boundary to their families. Moses, Joshua and Calebs monuments were as remembrances to the miraculous deliverances of Jehovah God as He parted the waters and they crossed over to new lands.
Got any of those places in your life? Places where you look around and realize that something special has happened? The familiar places are no longer seen and insurmountable mountains are seen at every degree of the compass dial? Enjoy the view! Erect a pile of rocks to mark the spot and trust that God would not have you there if you had not been in training to overcome.
Be captured by the moment. Commemorate it. Keep marching and proceed on.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Natural Roman Candles
Journal 2006 06 25
Natural Roman Candles
“last evening the indians entertained us with seting the fir trees on fire. they have a great number of dry lims near their bodies which when set on fire creates a very suddon and immence blaze from bottom to top of those tall trees. they are a beatifull object in this situation at night. this exhibition reminded me of a display of fireworks. the natives told us that their object in seting those trees on fire was to bring fair weather for our journey.—
Lewis watches the display with a marvelous curiosity and ability to place the activity in time and culture. To the men of the Corps of Discovery the trees set ablaze were like a natural fireworks display. To the Nez Perce men they were an offering to an unknown Creator to secure fair weather for the trip ahead.
Have you ever talked to a modern day firefighter? Have you ever read an account of a wildfires fury through a dry forest? Explosions and rockets are two of the terms you will hear to describe the rushing “whoosh” of air that accompanies a dry evergreen tree set ablaze.
The Indians must have seen lightning ignite the forest and then learned how replicate that without burning the whole forest down. My guess is that they also knew they could light the fire now, early in summer, before risking the whole mountainside burning as a result.
It was still about a week early for a Fourth of July celebration. However, I bet the men viewed this as a good substitute. Many of these men, not all, were toddlers at the end of the Revolutionary War and would hold vivid memories of a lifetime of celebration around the day freedom was gained from British rule. Some were not even born when that great battle for independence was waged. They too would know the celebration. Not one generation had yet passed and the struggle to victory would be their constant companion because they knew the human cost required to gain it.
Were these men able to see themselves as we would place them in history? We see them as the valiant thrust of a giant sword of destiny that would clear the way for millions to follow as they forged their way across the continent and back. More likely, they saw themselves enrolled in a great adventure filled with danger. The rewards being short term wealth and fame.
Are we able to see our place in the world today? What endeavor have we been called to enlist in that would have the same impact on the future as this great westward expedition did? Would we live any differently if we could see out place in eternity?
“Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. (2) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. (3) When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Hebrews 12:1-3 MSG
If we don’t know a higher calling, let’s ask for it in prayer. Then, as said above, let’s take inspiration from Jesus and from this valiant group of men to prepare, embark, labor, explore and return that we might find strength for the journey and reap a reward in Heaven and on earth.
Natural Roman Candles
“last evening the indians entertained us with seting the fir trees on fire. they have a great number of dry lims near their bodies which when set on fire creates a very suddon and immence blaze from bottom to top of those tall trees. they are a beatifull object in this situation at night. this exhibition reminded me of a display of fireworks. the natives told us that their object in seting those trees on fire was to bring fair weather for our journey.—
Lewis watches the display with a marvelous curiosity and ability to place the activity in time and culture. To the men of the Corps of Discovery the trees set ablaze were like a natural fireworks display. To the Nez Perce men they were an offering to an unknown Creator to secure fair weather for the trip ahead.
Have you ever talked to a modern day firefighter? Have you ever read an account of a wildfires fury through a dry forest? Explosions and rockets are two of the terms you will hear to describe the rushing “whoosh” of air that accompanies a dry evergreen tree set ablaze.
The Indians must have seen lightning ignite the forest and then learned how replicate that without burning the whole forest down. My guess is that they also knew they could light the fire now, early in summer, before risking the whole mountainside burning as a result.
It was still about a week early for a Fourth of July celebration. However, I bet the men viewed this as a good substitute. Many of these men, not all, were toddlers at the end of the Revolutionary War and would hold vivid memories of a lifetime of celebration around the day freedom was gained from British rule. Some were not even born when that great battle for independence was waged. They too would know the celebration. Not one generation had yet passed and the struggle to victory would be their constant companion because they knew the human cost required to gain it.
Were these men able to see themselves as we would place them in history? We see them as the valiant thrust of a giant sword of destiny that would clear the way for millions to follow as they forged their way across the continent and back. More likely, they saw themselves enrolled in a great adventure filled with danger. The rewards being short term wealth and fame.
Are we able to see our place in the world today? What endeavor have we been called to enlist in that would have the same impact on the future as this great westward expedition did? Would we live any differently if we could see out place in eternity?
“Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. (2) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. (3) When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Hebrews 12:1-3 MSG
If we don’t know a higher calling, let’s ask for it in prayer. Then, as said above, let’s take inspiration from Jesus and from this valiant group of men to prepare, embark, labor, explore and return that we might find strength for the journey and reap a reward in Heaven and on earth.
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