I find reading about our great Canadian North fascinating. I have just completed “The Tundra” by Farley Mowat. The book is primarily a record of the journals kept by early explorers of “the gigantic Arctic land mass, known as the Barrens, which stretches across the top of North America from Hudson Bay to the Pacific.” These explorers, thrill-seekers and trappers included Samuel Hearne, Alexander MacKenzie, John Franklin, George Back, Frank Russell, Joseph & James Tyrrell, John Hornby, Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Thierry Mallet and of course the Royal North West Mounted Police. They risked (and even lost) their lives braving the challenges of the North. The beauty yet barrenness of these “new” lands captured their imaginations and caused them to embrace pain, suffering and disappointments - just to know that they had seen and experienced unknown places and people. Invariably, they met many people groups, who generations previous to their arrival, had conquered the North. These lands were not “new” to those who had carved out lives for themselves long before the “white man’s” arrival. As a matter of fact, those who observed the ways of the indigenous families were more likely to survive.
The beauty yet barrenness of these “new” lands captured their imaginations and caused them to embrace pain, suffering and disappointments - just to know that they had seen and experienced unknown places and people.
At times, God calls His people to explore beyond what they already know. This may or may not entail a change of geography. The familiar becomes stagnant if we do not step into that which takes us out of our comfort zones. The “newness” may mean meeting someone new; attempting some new task, pursuing a new dream; going beyond what we now know. God stretches us to better fit His image! God lays before us opportunities that enable us to know more deeply the sufficiency of God in every situation. We will never know what we are capable of, with God’s help, unless we foster within ourselves an explorer’s heart. The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” Psalm 32:8-9. May God daily instill within us the spirit of the explorer!