The Greatest Explorer

If there is one thing about myself that I take pride in it is my sense of direction. I have always been able to read a map. I know my East from my West, my North from my South. I can find lost things. I can even properly program then follow the navigation system in my car. All of which is to say I rarely get lost. I would have made a great explorer.

But for all my explorer skills I find I still need guidance. You might call me a modern day Lewis and Clark.

Lewis and Clark were great explorers. They were arguably two of the greatest explorers our country has ever produced. Just think about it. In 1803 the still geographically small United States bought Louisiana from France. Now, this Louisiana Purchase more than doubled the size of our young new country. This was one huge purchase – even France was not sure exactly how much land it sold, that’s how big it was. Thomas Jefferson wanted to know so he hired Meriwether and William to go find the Pacific Ocean and come report back. It took them over two years but they got the job done.

Can you imagine the guts that took? They persevered through many a hardship. They didn’t have a map – they made the map as they went! That’s saying something. But for all their bravery they didn’t and couldn’t do it on their own. They needed a support team with them. No expedition can go anywhere without its roadies. There will be trouble, unknowns, hostiles and danger along the way. A strong team is vital.

But they shortly discovered they needed even more help than they started with. Early on in the expedition while wintering in what would one day be North Dakota they determined they needed a translator and a guide. Even our big, strong, intrepid explorers Lewis and Clark needed to seek a little outside help. Someone who knew how to talk to the locals, someone who knew the lay of the land – someone like Sacagawea. (I really like the fact that these big ‘ol boys needed a woman to help them out and show them the way – but I digress.)

Translator, guide, helper – Sacagawea did a lot to get Lewis and Clark to where they were going. Lewis and Clark were experienced explorers and they still needed help. No shame in that. In fact, it’s just as it’s supposed to be.

It’s always more difficult to go somewhere for the first time. Which is why we go through things, so we can be there to help guide others. Like my dad guided me through my bike lessons. We can all go from St. Louis to the Pacific Northwest with ease because we have Lewis and Clark (and Sacagawea) as our guides. Some things we go through are of course more difficult than learning to ride a bike or explore the Pacific Northwest. But going through hard times or trials and persevering is still important – we can’t lead anybody through something we have not been through ourselves.

Jesus is another and perhaps the best example of this. He became a human being so He could explore and experience each and every emotion, temptation, sin (without actually sinning – I, of course, sin with actually sinning), and problem as we do. This way He knows exactly what we human beings are going through day in and day out. It gives Him street cred. Who would listen to or follow a guide who said “Follow me; I know the way, even though I’ve never actually been there.” Nobody that’s who. Not me. Not you.

Jesus went through things to help guide us through. We go through things to help guide each other through. Heaven and earth – full of explorers.

Lewis and Clark would be so proud.