On December 5th, 1914, 109 years ago today, Sir Ernest Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance set out from South Georgia Island on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Their cause was doomed, which became apparent after the Endurance was crushed by floes of pack ice, and the men were forced to abandon ship.
What followed was an epic race against time to find a way back to civilization before starvation, cold, and other dangers could take the lives of the men. Endurance by Alfred Lansing is an excellent, extremely well-researched account of the events that unfolded in this legendary adventure.
I find the story of the expedition to be both inspiring and thought-provoking. I think it parallels the Christian life, as we navigate the great dangers of this world in the hope of reaching our heavenly home.
The men of the Endurance were sustained by ever-dwindling rations during their ordeal, clothed in wet and deteriorating skins and furs, and ultimately sought rescue in the James Caird, a small rowboat that braved the storms of the Southern Sea to find help on Elephant Island.
In our journey, Jesus is the food that sustains us, the garments that clothe us, and the vessel that bears us over the waters, even unto the end of all things.
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