In her book Teaching a Stone to Talk (New York: Harper
Collins, 1988) Annie Dillard reveals a sad, but poignant story
about what happens when we set out unprepared. She tells of a
British Arctic expedition which set sail in 1845 to chart the
Northwest Passage around the Canadian Arctic to the Pacific
Ocean. Neither of the two ships and none of the 138 men aboard
returned.
Captain Sir John Franklin prepared as if they were
embarking on a pleasure cruise rather than an arduous and
grueling journey through one of earth's most hostile
environments. He packed a 1,200 volume library, a hand-organ,
china place settings for officers and men, cut-glass wine goblets
and sterling silver flatware, beautifully and intricately
designed. Years later, some of these place settings would be
found near a clump of frozen, cannibalized bodies.
The voyage was doomed when the ships sailed into frigid
waters and became trapped in ice. First ice coated the decks, the
spars and the rigging. Then water froze around the rudders and
the ships became hopelessly locked in the now-frozen sea.
Sailors set out to search for help, but soon succumbed to
severe Arctic weather and died of exposure to its harsh winds and
sub-freezing temperatures. For some twenty years, remains of the
expeditions were found all over the frozen landscape.
The crew did not prepare either for the cold or for the
eventuality of the ships becoming ice-locked. On a voyage which
was to last two to three years, they packed only their Navy-issue
uniforms and the captain carried just a 12-day supply of coal for
the auxiliary steam engines. The frozen body of an officer was
eventually found, miles from the vessel, wearing his uniform of
fine blue cloth, edged with silk braid, a blue greatcoat and a
silk neckerchief -- clothing which was noble and respectful, but
wholly inadequate.
Historians may doubt the wisdom of such an ill-prepared
journey. But more important for us is the question, "Are we,
too, prepared for the lengthy voyage we've embarked upon, that
journey we call "life"? Have we made ourselves ready for all that
will surely await us?
Physically and mentally, are we prepared to handle what
may come? Do we regularly stay fit through daily study and
exercise? Will our minds and bodies be ready to cope with
challenges which will arise?
Emotionally and spiritually, are we ready? Do we practice
such virtues as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness,
faithfulness, goodness and self-control? Will we be emotionally
and spiritually ready to embrace an unknown future?
To embark on a journey unprepared can set us up for
disastrous results. But the good news is, we can still prepare
for ours. And in large part, the success of our voyage will be
determined by our regular and systematic preparation.
Are you ready?
