Nothing Extraordinary Happened Today

Journal 2006 07 30
Nothing Extraordinary Happened Today

Lewis continues downriver for the second day on the Missouri River with sixteen members of the Corps of Discovery. Clark continues down the Yellowstone River encountering the first real rapids he has seen in the last six hundred ninety four miles.

The “the rain continued with but little intermission all day; the air is cold and extreemly disagreeable,” records Lewis. While both he and Clark note the water is difficult to drink because of the all the mud in it. For the better part of a year they have been drinking clear mountain stream water. The sludge of these rivers as they cloud up must have been a forgotten memory until they took a drink.

Yesterday Lewis makes almost a footnote regarding the marvelous cliffs he described so vividly last year. “…we passed that very interesting part of the Missouri where the natural walls appear, particularly discribed in my outward bound journey.” New is exciting, familiar is interesting and common is boring. What is it about human nature that takes the spectacular and makes it dull when the spectacular becomes common? I know I sure fall prey to that seduction.

The last few days with Clark’s party continues the fulfillment of Adam’s role in the Garden of Eden naming many of the places they pass on their way down the Yellowstone. My favorite is Bear Island because of the bears seen standing in the middle of it. One of the Sergeant’s comments and describes the attack pattern of the wolves against their larger prey having observed them enough times to discern the strategy.

Both parties enjoy the abundance of game. Buffalo once again dominate the prairie and huge “gangues” of elk dominate the river valleys. Both parties are able to take antelope and are pleased to have more than enough specimens to take home.

High adventure on the way west. Pleasant work on the way home.

Like me, can you let the spectacular become common if you lose perspective of your calling? Ever wonder why a new employee is excited to do the job you’ve become tired of? Perspective. I’m also inclined to believe that as we conquer and acquire we are built to start fresh from the ground gained in those victories and acquisitions. If you find yourself dulled to your daily routine or bored by your work, look to the One who formed you in the womb and ask Him to reset your course and vision that you might see your work through His vision and not ours. I’m calling out for the very same freshness.

“Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God--you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration--what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. Your thoughts--how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! (Psalms 139:13-17 MSG)

Proceed on.