Preparing for Battle
Journal 2005 04 01
Preparing for Battle
Thunder, lightning, hail and the first real deluges since October 15th pummel the men on the prairie this day.
Yet nothing can deter the high spirits of the men preparing to move westward. They continue to dance nightly to the fiddle led tunes of Pierre Cruzatte and George Gibson. Joy bubbling over in celebration and dance.
Clark “polishes” his journal, maps and other records that will be sent downstream by keelboat for delivery to President Jefferson. Clark soberly understands that these records could be the only record of the journey should he not survive it.
Lewis pens a letter to his mother. He recounts that the Missouri River is far more dangerous than any Indians. The Indians are surprisingly friendly and hospitable. Game is more abundant the further they go, so there is no chance of starvation. His assurances to his mother of his safe passage sounds like it is meant to allay fears from a conversation they may have had prior to his departure. The list of concerns gives us a glimpse of some of the dangers that the Captains knew could await the Expedition.
We’ve seen the scene portrayed in just about every book and movie that tells the story of men about to embark on a dangerous mission where their survival is anything but assured. Letters are written, weapons are cleaned and prepared for battle, gear is checked and rechecked for soundness. Some men worry about their welfare, others refuse to acknowledge the possibility of their demise and continue with the established routine. All have internally set their minds and hearts on the all out, nothing left behind effort to secure victory in the coming mission.
And this preparation for mission and the possible battles that may accompany mission begs the question for us today. Are we committed in our hearts and minds to give everything we have, including our very lives, for the calling, commissioning and sending of our Commander?
Do we see the mission? Are we in the middle of the expedition? Are we in quiet yet earnest preparation for the mission? Have we jettisoned all things that keep us from fulfilling the mission?
And like Job, the oldest recorded words in the Jewish and now Christian scriptures, have we given our hearts and lives to the same pledge “though He slay, yet me I will serve Him.”
Preparing for Battle
Thunder, lightning, hail and the first real deluges since October 15th pummel the men on the prairie this day.
Yet nothing can deter the high spirits of the men preparing to move westward. They continue to dance nightly to the fiddle led tunes of Pierre Cruzatte and George Gibson. Joy bubbling over in celebration and dance.
Clark “polishes” his journal, maps and other records that will be sent downstream by keelboat for delivery to President Jefferson. Clark soberly understands that these records could be the only record of the journey should he not survive it.
Lewis pens a letter to his mother. He recounts that the Missouri River is far more dangerous than any Indians. The Indians are surprisingly friendly and hospitable. Game is more abundant the further they go, so there is no chance of starvation. His assurances to his mother of his safe passage sounds like it is meant to allay fears from a conversation they may have had prior to his departure. The list of concerns gives us a glimpse of some of the dangers that the Captains knew could await the Expedition.
We’ve seen the scene portrayed in just about every book and movie that tells the story of men about to embark on a dangerous mission where their survival is anything but assured. Letters are written, weapons are cleaned and prepared for battle, gear is checked and rechecked for soundness. Some men worry about their welfare, others refuse to acknowledge the possibility of their demise and continue with the established routine. All have internally set their minds and hearts on the all out, nothing left behind effort to secure victory in the coming mission.
And this preparation for mission and the possible battles that may accompany mission begs the question for us today. Are we committed in our hearts and minds to give everything we have, including our very lives, for the calling, commissioning and sending of our Commander?
Do we see the mission? Are we in the middle of the expedition? Are we in quiet yet earnest preparation for the mission? Have we jettisoned all things that keep us from fulfilling the mission?
And like Job, the oldest recorded words in the Jewish and now Christian scriptures, have we given our hearts and lives to the same pledge “though He slay, yet me I will serve Him.”
posted by @2007 Dick Cinkovich | 11:00 PM
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