What is a Pioneer?

A pioneer is one who leaves all behind in hope of a better life ahead. Nations streamed to what was known as the New World. They came from Africa, Europe, and Asia to escape drudgery, persecution, and some against their own will, but they came all the same. They took Paul’s words of Philippians 3:13-14 truly:  one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.

In order to embrace the destiny and new life which lay ahead they had to forget their country and people. Like Ruth, the quintessential pioneer, they needed to forget their people, their land, and their god to find the new life before them: "Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. (Ruth 1:16).

Being a pioneer meant being prepared. One had to anticipate the dilemmas and problems one might encounter on the trail.  Life is a similar kind of journey, which at times, with its twists and turns, requires us to anticipate the challenges which may lie ahead. "But don't begin until you count the cost," Jesus warned; "for who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish? (Luke 14:28).

The pioneer needed to bring barrels to collect water and simple cooking supplies such as cornmeal, yeast, bacon, rice, and beans. All of the pioneers traveled with supplies such as needles, pins, leather, scissors, and all the necessary sundries to sew and make clothes. In essence, they took as much and as many supplies as possible on the journey.

They would have been destined for failure if they had not had the foresight to carry dried meat, potatoes, crackers, and yeast for baking. The family cow made the trip as well for it provided the necessary milk for growing children and nursing babes who were still suckling. Even a tin of chocolate might be taken for special occasions. A hen or two would provide the eggs that would serve as a good source of protein and a necessary ingredient in cooking.

No malls were nearby so leather was brought to fix worn-down shoes. They also made their own repairs to wagon wheels and such, so they brought nails, hammers, saws, knives, and the utilitarian string. When they set off toward their destination, they did not know exactly what awaited them, but they attempted to anticipate and prepare to meet their most basic needs.

Yet, we seem to little resemble the pioneer as we carelessly get into our wagons so to speak and head out on the trial of life. We give little thought to the gear that we will need to mend the broken parts of our hearts. Like a pair of broken worn shoes whose tread is gone, our hearts keep on trudging on the miles but are never restored, never mended.

We fail to sharpen our skills and intellect. No pioneer worth his or her salt would go on the trail without a good set of knives and the ability to sharpen them, but many people spend little time investing in sharpening people skills, relationship building, and cognitive growth.

 

The story of the pioneer provides a worthy allegory to life, and for next few installments, I will examine the tried and true virtues exhibited by the pioneer.

A Bourgeoning Pioneer,
MJ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Monkey See, Monkey Do!

For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God’s sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship” Romans 8:19

When the Bible says that all creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God, it has exciting and frightening ramifications. I think I understand what it means in a deeper way because of a few trips that I have taken with English Language School. During a trip to Monkey Town, and also during a trip to refuge for abused primates, I heard similar stories about two different primates who had been taught to drink. One was a monkey who became an alcoholic like his human master. When the man died, the monkey was taken to Monkey Town where he was rehabilitated, but today still shows signs of his abuse. He abuses his wife and children, according to the guide. When he first arrived, he had the shakes and other identifiable traits of addicts.

The other was a chimpanzee who both drunk and smoked. He was taken to taverns and was made to drink for the sport of those who would pay, as he put on this sick display. Cruel humans thought that it was funny to exploit him in this way. To this day he displays great hostility and violence.

In addition, I have seen footage of animals that wait for fruit to ripen and fall from trees. As the fruit drops to the ground, it begins to ferment. Some animals don't even have the patience to wait for the process to be completed.  They consume so much of the fermented fruit they get tipsy and even fall down drunk during this season, staggering through the forest. I do not believe that these behaviors are indicative of the conduct that God intended from the animal kingdom, but as sin has encroached into their domain as well, we see the results of the fall of man.  It makes you wonder who needs to be caged and rehabilitated.

But what if we influenced the earth for good? What if creation's anxious waiting revealed a people anxious to do good, to protect the animals and their habitats? People who did not care about their own selfish pursuits more than obeying the first mandate given: to care and maintain guardianship over the earth. Genesis 1:28 states, “God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

It is not only unbelievers who act in ways that are egregious towards creation. It is not just alcoholics and circus  trainers who maim primates; it is large corporations that pollute our waters and environment; it’s the simple citizen who litters, who doesn’t recycle; that individual leaves a large carbon foot print on the earth. But when, we walk or bike instead of drive, put our rubbish in the compost heap, we are saying that we value the gift of creation God has given us.

Who really should lead the way of protecting the animal kingdom and the environment? The children of God of course. He gave us the responsibility, didn’t He?  One day, the lion will lie down with the lamb. There will be a day when there is no more death- animal or human on God’s holy hill. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD. (Isaiah 65:25). How I am bringing His kingdom to the earth now? How do I reduce the enmity between man and beast?
 

MJ