Finding a Better Way

Journal 2006 07 05
Finding a Better Way

“Sent out several men to examine the road. Shields returned at dark and informed me that the best road turned up the hill from the creek 3 Miles higher up, and appeared to be a plain beaten parth. as this rout of the Oat lash shoots can be followed it will evidently Shorten our rout at least 2 days and as the indians informed me last fall a much better rout than the one we came out.    at all events I am deturmined to make the attempt and follow their trail if possible    if I can prosue it my rout will be nearer and much better than the one we Came from the Shoshones, & if I should not be able to follow their road; our rout can't possibly be much wors. The hunters killed two deer this evening. The after part of the day we only come 8 miles makeing a total of 20 Miles—. Shannon Came up about Sunset haveing found his tomahawk.” Captain Clark’s Journal.

“…at all events I am deturmined to make the attempt and follow their trail if possible…if I should not be able to follow their road; our rout can't possibly be much wors…”

“It can’t possibly be any worse!” Ever utter those words? I have. Many times I’m sure. And sure enough, what happens? Things get worse!

William Clark is looking for the best route to the Yellowstone River. Last fall the Expedition was late in the season and wary of getting stuck in these “terrible” mountains for the winter. They had a hard time convincing any Shoshone Indians to guide them over the Continental Divide. Only Old Toby was willing and able and volunteered. They had no choice but to go Toby’s way. The way was rough. Based on Clark’s comments here he must have wondered last fall if there wasn’t a better way through the mountains than the path they took.

Bottom line. There was no easy way. So when our day, maybe even our way, seems the worst possible it may be the only way! Pleasant thought, isn’t it? Human nature mandates that we seek a better and easier way. Divine Providence may require something else for the purposes of Heaven to be fulfilled.

“Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked?”
(Ecclesiastes 7:13 MKJV)

So let’s walk the path God has marked out for us before the foundations of the earth were formed. It may be hard but we already know the answer to the question, “Could it possibly be any worse?”

Proceed on.