on dog sleds

In the early 20th Century, two teams of men raced to be first ever to the South Pole. The race was between a team of Norwegians led by Raold Amundsen and a team of Englishmen led by Robert Falcon Scott. Both teams took diferent paths to the pole. The wisdom under which they travelled was different too. A few differences made a big difference -- so big that Amundsen's team reached the pole first and returned safely while Scott and his team did not return alive.

In this blog, we talk often about the race of life and following Jesus and how we can't go it alone. I believe Amundsen and Scott proved that, too. Both teams brought dog sleds to Antarctica. But at a key point, Scott's team abandoned the dogs and pushed ahead without the dogs. It was a heroic effort -- they "man-hauled" their gear and reached the pole. But a combination of weather and exhaustion doomed them. They did not return.

Amundsen's team rode the sleds pretty much to the pole and back. It was considered at the time, somehow less heroic. But it was far more effective and realistic -- Amundsen knew they'd likely not make it on their own. Understanding that, they emerged with the prize and their lives.


The same principle that separated Amundsen and Scott holds true in the spiritual race we run in this life. In this life, it is tempting - even heroic - to go it alone. But I have heard it said that Satan wants us alone - separated - then he has us where he wants us. Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit as a helper inside of us to guide us and so we wouldn't be alone. And I believe he sends people to run alongside of us to help us in the race.