"INDIVIDUALS WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success."
That’s not exactly the most glamorous recruiting advertisement is it? Shackleton wasn’t interested in getting a lot of responses, he just wanted to find those who were really ready to take on a demanding challenge. Although one might think that an advertisement like this would drive people away, amazingly, Shackleton said:
"It seemed as though [everyone] in Great Britain [was] determined to accompany him, the response was so overwhelming."
WHY DO PEOPLE SIGN UP FOR UNCERTAINTY?
Why is it that so many people responded to this opportunity? Why would they sign up when challenges and danger were basically guaranteed? I think it’s because deep within us (and especially youth), we know that anything really worthwhile is costly. Danger and risk are par for the course with adventure, otherwise it isn’t really adventure is it?
When Jesus commissioned his disciples to follow him, he also didn’t candy coat what that meant. He said,
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." (John 20:21)
That’s saying a lot if you consider “how Jesus was sent.” He was sent into a sinful world to live a life of service and sacrifice ultimately ending in his death by crucifixion for the sins of the world. Following Christ is probably more like Shackleton’s adventure than we care to admit: “Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.”
Why is it that so many people responded to this opportunity? Why would they sign up when challenges and danger were basically guaranteed? I think it’s because deep within us (and especially youth), we know that anything really worthwhile is costly. Danger and risk are par for the course with adventure, otherwise it isn’t really adventure is it?
When Jesus commissioned his disciples to follow him, he also didn’t candy coat what that meant. He said,
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." (John 20:21)
That’s saying a lot if you consider “how Jesus was sent.” He was sent into a sinful world to live a life of service and sacrifice ultimately ending in his death by crucifixion for the sins of the world. Following Christ is probably more like Shackleton’s adventure than we care to admit: “Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.”
No comments:
Post a Comment