EB means being prepared, on time, organized, flexible and humble; seeing the humor in everything; exercising a tolerance for adversity, uncertainty and discomfort; and putting the needs of the group and others on the same level or above one’s own needs. It’s a tall order but while on expedition it has magical results.
Petzoldt said it’s not the challenge of the environment that defeats expeditions but the quality of the interaction among the participants. This is borne out in research and experience. Successful courses at NOLS are committed to expedition behavior."
~ from the January 2010 issue of The Lutheran in an article entitled: "Packing for Your Faith Expedition" by Jeffrey D. Louden.
As the new year begins so continues our life journeys. How we approach our journey and/or our expedition can help us to grow, learn, move forward or on the other hand stall, or be stagnant. It is our choice how we want to prepare or what principles we want to use to help guide us.
In the reading from 1Corinthians 12:1-11 we are told that we all have gifts to share. Each gift is different but important. As I begin my New Expedition for 2010 I know I will travel this year with a variety of people with a variety of gifts. I know that if all those I am travelling with freely share their gifts and abide by expedition behaviors 2010 will be a magical expedition.
Sharing one's gifts freely and openly is a choice, one that is often uncomfortable and unpredictable. First you need to identify your gifts and secondly you need to use them and that is not always easy. Even if you know what gifts you have been given -- whether wise counsel; healing the sick; simple trust or clear understanding -- any of these can be difficult to share. All gifts are meant to be shared from a place of love. Out of love sharing becomes easier.
I discovered a famous poet songwriter Leonard Cohen in his song The Land of Plenty speaks to this idea of journey, love and gifts.
What do you think of the lyrics? How is your New Expedition going so far?
The Land Of Plenty
Don’t really have the courage
To stand where I must stand.
Don’t really have the temperament
To lend a helping hand.
Don’t really know who sent me
To raise my voice and say:
May the lights in The Land of Plenty
Shine on the truth some day.
I don’t know why I come here,
Knowing as I do,
What you really think of me,
What I really think of you.
For the millions in a prison,
That wealth has set apart –
For the Christ who has not risen,
From the caverns of the heart –
For the innermost decision,
That we cannot but obey -
For what’s left of our religion,
I lift my voice and pray:
May the lights in The Land of Plenty
Shine on the truth some day.
I know I said I’d meet you,
I’d meet you at the store,
But I can’t buy it, baby.
I can’t buy it anymore.
And I don’t really know who sent me,
To raise my voice and say:
May the lights in The Land of Plenty
Shine on the truth some day.
For the innermost decision
That we cannot but obey
For what’s left of our religion
I lift my voice and pray:
May the lights in The Land of Plenty
Shine on the truth some day.
As I continue on my expedition this year the EB that I most want to remember is seeing the humor in everything. I think laughter can help everyone get through anything and I am hoping for more laughter on my expedition. Which EB do you want to strive to embrace this year? What are your hopes for this year? How are you going to discover your gifts and share them?
I hope you will join us on Thursday night on our Skype call just contact "bythewaycommunity" and join us live at 7pm January 14th. Or if you can't join us Thursday leave a comment.
