Tag: National Geographic

Making A Way When There Was No Way

Neal Pollard

Recently, I read the 2005 book by Candice Millard entitled The River Of Doubt. It chronicles Theodore Roosevelt’s exploration of the interior of Brazil, along with Candido Rondon. Their work literally put a major tributary of the Amazon River on the map. Rondon had come across the river in a 1909 expedition to lay telegraph wire and he longed to explore it. When Roosevelt was yearning for an adventure following his unsuccessful bid for a third term as president, this appeared to be the answer. It was called The River Of Doubt (Rio da Dúvida) because no one knew how long it was, what kind of terrain it passed through, or where it ended. The journey was dangerous and deadly, very nearly killing Roosevelt himself. But the risk resulted in geographical and scientific advancement that benefits the world even today.

I have always been fascinated to read about the works of pioneers. Gutenberg and the printing press, Jenner and vaccinations, the Wright brothers and flying. Whether travel and exploration or inventions, people who went first or paved the way for us are people we may never think about but we owe so much to them. Even our highway systems, with paved roads that go through tall mountains, took people to make a way when there was no way.

In Hebrews 6:20, the writer uses a term that’s only found in that verse–forerunner. The word had a very diverse usage. It was used in athletics of one who runs forward at top speed. It was used of one who went in advance of others, like horsemen ahead of the army or guides. The ancient Macedonian army had a special corp known as forerunners. In Alexandria, Roman ships heavily loaded with grain, were led out by a small guide ship. It was used in botany of the first green shoot, tree or flower of Spring. It was used metaphorically of a precursor, like John the Baptist.

The idea is that Jesus has gone behind the curtain before us into God’s presence. We can join Him there because His death made it possible for us (Heb. 5:8-9). But we also have unrestricted access to God’s presence now because He prepared the way. The writer tells us this is our sure and steadfast anchor of hope that allows us to take refuge.

It is beautiful to think that Jesus has gone before us and paved a way for us. It is a theme the writer of Hebrews addresses throughout the book as He shows us how Jesus has done that in the past, is doing it now, and will do it in the future:

  • Our forerunner went before us in the creation (1:1-3)
  • Our forerunner went before us in salvation (2:10)
  • Our forerunner has gone before us for our eternal destination (12:1-2).

One of our songs says, “Each step I take, my savior goes before me, and with His loving hand He leads the way. And with each step, He whispers I adore thee, Oh, what joy to walk with Him each day.” He’s gone before us! The question is, “Are we following Him?”

The Nazca Lines And Writing On Tablets Of The Heart

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

In southern Peru, there is a massive area of geoglyphs carved into the ground and rock. They are named for the area, called the Nazca Lines. There are humongous carvings of people and animals, National Geographic reporting that “in total, there are over 800 straight lines, 300 geometric figures and 70 animal and plant designs, also called biomorphs. Some of the straight lines run up to 30 miles, while the biomorphs range from 50 to 1200 feet in length (as large as the Empire State Building)” (NAT GEO). There are so many theories about the meaning and purpose of these etchings, made by a people who could not have seen the entirety of figures that require aerial view to take in. It is suggested that these geoglyphs were formed between 500 BC and 500 AD by people from at least two distinct cultures. Overall, they have been well-preserved (aided by lowest annual rainfall rates in the world) and their authenticity is indisputable.

While this massive ancient project raises more questions than answers, it points to an effort that was done by a people whose work could not be appreciated in their own lifetime. The time, calculation, effort, and plotting required to draw these figures in the ground is awe-inspiring. We could argue that their work did not have the significance of medical breakthroughs, ingenious inventions, and literary brilliance, but they are still impressive.  They could not see the fruits of their own labor, yet they continued to diligently work.

When it comes to matters of faith, how hard it is to labor with such foresight. The decisions we make every day, the priorities we map out for ourselves and our families, even the seemingly insignificant choices definitely impact ourselves. But, we are also building for the future in ways that we may never see in our lifetime. They will eat the fruit of the trees we are planting today.

Asaph urged an investment in the faith of one’s descendants. He says, “For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments, and not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God” (Ps. 78:5-8). 

When we write God’s love and His will on the hearts of our children, it increases the likelihood that generations yet unborn will trust, remember, and obey God (cf. 2 Cor. 3:2-3)! That’s profound! New Testament Christianity extends back several generations on my mother’s side. The same is true of Kathy’s father’s side of the family. We pray daily for our children’s faith and their children’s faith. Won’t it be wonderful to spend eternity with descendants, maybe many generations removed from us, who “saw” our faith and imitated it? That is a wonder that far exceeds any archaeological find! 

Live your faith! Not only will it save you, but may contribute to the salvation of many generations yet to come. Keep writing on tablets of human hearts. The future will see it and marvel!

Neal Pollard