Essays
Undaunted
UNDAUNTED
I finally started reading Stephen Ambrose's Undaunted Courage around the ides of March. It had been on my books-to-read list for the last couple of years, but at approximately 500 pages long and rather small print I kept putting off reading it. It's the story of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery fathered by President Jefferson in early 1803. Our young nation's third president had begun planting seeds for this exploratory expedition months in advance. As soon as the Louisiana Purchase was consummated a sense of urgency drove him to commission Meriwether Lewis to recruit a crew to navigate the uncharted American west in hopes of finding a waterway connecting the Mississippi river with the Pacific ocean. The corps (pronounced Kor) was tasked to venture where few, if any, non-natives had ever gone.
When I took up this reading, I had not fully comprehended the magnitude of this challenge. In mid-March we as a nation had no sense of what April and May would bring. The Corps of Discovery had no idea what they would meet from day to day. As with most history books, this volume provides that all-important insight called “perspective”. To consider what past generations have gone through can fortify our present-day state of mind. Simply put, hearing the stories of ones who encountered and overcame insurmountable obstacles inspires us to rise up and conquer.
This small chunk of American history offers so many models of success. I found these to be quite applicable to life in the church. First, I was so impressed with the sense of unity that held strong among the “team” (thirty or so men plus Sacagawea). There were occasions that prompted disciplinary measures, but no mutiny. When someone was rebuked they accepted their punishment and returned to the task ahead without sulking. Secondly, Meriwether Lewis shared his leadership role with William Clark in a most remarkable way - - without ego. Even though appointed as the team captain by President Jefferson, Lewis graciously invited Clark to share this leadership as an equal. Thirdly everybody on the team contributed in various ways, using their unique talents and abilities for the welfare of group. Fourthly, a spirit of sacrifice was evident among all. What they individually en-dured for the good of the whole was quite impressive. This group had AN UNDAUNTED CONSTITUTION that did not countenance the option of quitting.
As I read this delightful volume it reminded me of the sacred stories that we read about in both the Old and New Covenants - - stories of men and women of faith, virtue and perseverance - - ones who by faith conquered (Heb.11:33). Regarding the accounts of many of the Old Testament faithful ones, Paul notes that their stories were written for our instruction (1Cor.10:11). There is so much to learn from those who have gone before us! Not just their successes, but their failures as well (1Cor.10:5-10). So when we're feeling weak and lagging in strength and stamina, let us return to the Scriptures and be fed. And when we get the urge to chirp about our hardships, let us revisit the sacred text to gain some perspective - - such will give us a new vision for how to cope. We dare not boast of our own wisdom, nor of our own might. And we best not boast of our own riches. But let him who boasts, boast of this, that he understands and knows ME, that I AM THE LORD... (Jer.9:23-24).
Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ
