Utmost Circumspection
Journal 2005 06 03
Utmost Circumspection
Crossroads. An overworked term that implies decisions, destiny and the hand of fate. The Corp of Discovery arrived at one of their crossroads as darkness fell on June 2, 1805.
The Corp of Discovery reached the fork in their road late last night. A river apparently equal to the one they were navigating entered the Missouri. Daylight was dwindling to the point where more investigation would have to wait until first light tomorrow morning. They made camp on the land between the joining of the two rivers. Celestial observations were taken because the night was clear and this geographic point needed to be recorded on Captain Clark’s map.
Every man on the Expedition understood the seriousness of making the correct choice of which river to proceed upward. Captain Lewis recorded his thoughts this way, “…to mistake the stream at this period of the season, two months of the traveling season having now lapsed, and to ascend such stream to the rocky Mountain or perhaps much further before we could inform ourselves whether it did approach the Columbia or not, and then be obliged to return and take the other stream would not only loose us the whole of the season but would probably so dishearten the party that it might defeat the expedition altogether. convinced we were that the utmost circumspection and caution was necessary in deciding on the stream to be taken.”
Without being melodramatic Lewis and Clark understood that success or failure of their mission lay with the decision regarding which channel to ascend. They immediately set about the only course of action that would answer their question. They stopped, set up camp and conducted an intelligent investigation to determine which channel contained the Mighty Missouri.
How about you and me?
Do we recognize the crossroads when we arrive at them? Do we understand the seriousness of our decisions? Or do we flip a coin and choose a direction that may seal our fate?
What do you do, what do I do, when faced with decisions of this magnitude? I sit and avoid making the choice hoping for someone to come down the river and tell me the answer. Others declare with absolute certainty that the we must proceed this way posthaste lest we fall behind our predetermined schedule, having no idea which choice is correct, just trusting their bold declaration to lead them to truth.
Lewis and Clark give us a great example as to the handling important decisions. The choices are simple. Left or right? The choice is important. Success or setback?
Seven Steps to Decision
Captains Lewis and Clark will spend one full week before giving the order to proceed on. I believe we will see leadership, command and courage illustrated over the course of observing them through their journals over the next seven days.
We have much to learn. These men were prepared for leadership and command through the hardship of battle and their apprenticeships with great men of history. They were proven in the skills of the mission. They were trusted with the ability to apply those skills with the wisdom imparted to them.
Today’s mirror of this two hundred year old day is to see the critical choice that has presented itself, stop, set up camp, make a record and prepare to discover the truth which carries with it the answer to the question, “Right or left?”
Utmost Circumspection
Crossroads. An overworked term that implies decisions, destiny and the hand of fate. The Corp of Discovery arrived at one of their crossroads as darkness fell on June 2, 1805.
The Corp of Discovery reached the fork in their road late last night. A river apparently equal to the one they were navigating entered the Missouri. Daylight was dwindling to the point where more investigation would have to wait until first light tomorrow morning. They made camp on the land between the joining of the two rivers. Celestial observations were taken because the night was clear and this geographic point needed to be recorded on Captain Clark’s map.
Every man on the Expedition understood the seriousness of making the correct choice of which river to proceed upward. Captain Lewis recorded his thoughts this way, “…to mistake the stream at this period of the season, two months of the traveling season having now lapsed, and to ascend such stream to the rocky Mountain or perhaps much further before we could inform ourselves whether it did approach the Columbia or not, and then be obliged to return and take the other stream would not only loose us the whole of the season but would probably so dishearten the party that it might defeat the expedition altogether. convinced we were that the utmost circumspection and caution was necessary in deciding on the stream to be taken.”
Without being melodramatic Lewis and Clark understood that success or failure of their mission lay with the decision regarding which channel to ascend. They immediately set about the only course of action that would answer their question. They stopped, set up camp and conducted an intelligent investigation to determine which channel contained the Mighty Missouri.
How about you and me?
Do we recognize the crossroads when we arrive at them? Do we understand the seriousness of our decisions? Or do we flip a coin and choose a direction that may seal our fate?
What do you do, what do I do, when faced with decisions of this magnitude? I sit and avoid making the choice hoping for someone to come down the river and tell me the answer. Others declare with absolute certainty that the we must proceed this way posthaste lest we fall behind our predetermined schedule, having no idea which choice is correct, just trusting their bold declaration to lead them to truth.
Lewis and Clark give us a great example as to the handling important decisions. The choices are simple. Left or right? The choice is important. Success or setback?
Seven Steps to Decision
- Stop
- Proceed no further until you can make a decision based a reasonable investigation of the choices.
- Set Up Camp
- Give yourself enough time to investigate your choices.
- Devise a Plan
- Take whatever measures are needed to allow a reasonable decision to be made.
- Execute the Plan
- Do the work and collect the data so you can compare the choices and reach a reasonable conclusion.
- Analyze the Information
- Allow yourself to compare the data and analyze it for information
- Make a Choice
- Interpret the information you’ve been able to collect and make a decision.
- Proceed On
- “We proceeded on.” The term used by the Captains repeatedly in their journals to indicate they were forging ahead.
- Scripture tells us, “Then, having done all, stand.” In this circumstance, I believe we can safely say, “Then, having done all, proceed on!”
- Decisions and choices are required of us.
- Make your best decision and proceed on.
Captains Lewis and Clark will spend one full week before giving the order to proceed on. I believe we will see leadership, command and courage illustrated over the course of observing them through their journals over the next seven days.
We have much to learn. These men were prepared for leadership and command through the hardship of battle and their apprenticeships with great men of history. They were proven in the skills of the mission. They were trusted with the ability to apply those skills with the wisdom imparted to them.
Today’s mirror of this two hundred year old day is to see the critical choice that has presented itself, stop, set up camp, make a record and prepare to discover the truth which carries with it the answer to the question, “Right or left?”
posted by @2007 Dick Cinkovich | 12:08 PM
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