The early 1900’s was a heroic age of exploration. Limits were pushed on all fronts and among these was the British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition led by Ernest Shackleton. From 1914 to 1916, the expedition was to cross Antarctica. They had priorities and a sense of urgency. Shackleton chose his team of twenty-seven officers, scientists, and seamen carefully, not hiding the danger, nor the glory if successful.
After the Endurance was destroyed by winter’s ice in the Weddell Sea, Shackleton rose early and prepared hot milk for all his crew to boost morale. A new mission emerged, crossing the Antarctic with everyone alive. They would all have to become leaders, their decisions impacting the entire crew. These men were in training, developing urgency, a core, and a mission.
God works with His people in same way. We know that those who have a sense of urgency and a core mission, and who endure to the end will become like Christ, as Spirit beings. We shall be able to see Him as He is, in a spirit plane of existence (1 John 3:1-3).
God’s firstfruits seated on thrones, will judge and reign on earth with Christ for 1,000 years. God the Father and Jesus Christ love humanity, and Christ died for us with the intent that no one is lost (John 18:9). Enduring to the end is a journey and we must, with the Spirit of God, actively engage in changing ourselves.
We are living through a time of intense trials and, sometimes, suffering. Much is expected of us on this expedition. If we don’t learn these lessons, increasing in spiritual fruit, as in the Parable of the Minas, we run the risk of becoming unprofitable servants: “For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him,” (Luke 19:26).
God’s people were called for a mission, but we chose to actively board the ship, knowing there would be trials and that we would be hard-pressed, but not forsaken (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). There have been various “ports of call” at which to disembark the boat, especially for those who have been many years in the Church of God. But we’re still here, learning and overcoming.
For young people who have grown up in the Church of God, you have access to board the ship, but you must choose to board. It takes focus, urgency, and a core mission. Shackleton’s ship, Endurance, never reached Antarctica. A disappointment to be sure, yet not one man was lost. They maintained focus and all exited the mission as leaders.
Christ does not want to lose any of us, but we must focus on making our calling and election sure. Use your time to develop a sense of urgency as you keep your eyes on the thousand years of Christ’s rule, for which we are now in training to become leaders.
Ken Parks