Conquering Chaos (2)

1. [Lost Patrol

Among their many tasks, the Royal Northwest Mounted Police (aka: NWMP or Mounties) in Fort MacPherson, North West Territories, was also in charge of delivering mail to Dawson City, Yukon, a trek of 475 miles by dogsled. The trail was quite hazardous. The sleds often broke through the ice over the lakes and rivers, and the temperatures were often extreme.

In December 1910, Inspector F.J. Fitzgerald, along with three of his comrades, was in charge of the next mail delivery to Dawson City. They left the fort to never return.

On February 28th a search party with dogs was send out from Dawson City. (Note that three months had already gone by! Bureaucracy?) Three weeks later they discovered the bodies of the Fitzgerald patrol 35 miles from Fort MacPherson.

It seems that Fitzgerald had lost his way in the Oglivie Mountains and decided to head back to Fort MacPherson. Because of lack of supplies, bad weather, sparse game and inexperience, however, they never made it.

Shortly after this disaster, rest cabins and supply caches were set up along the route to Dawson City, and experienced First Nations guides and hunters were arranged to accompany every patrol. As a result, the Mounties learned to depend on the knowledge and generosity of the First Nations people for survival in this harsh climate. They soon realized that their issue uniforms were not the most efficient for the Yukon's weather (red is nice, but how useful is it in a snow storm?) And a decision was made to adopt the clothing of the First Nations people: fur-trimmed coats, hide mitts and mukluks. Many of these were given to the police as gifts.

Soon the First Nations people became indispensable to the Mounties as dog drivers, guides, hunters, interpreters and tailors. The designation of "Special Constable" was given to these men, and with their help, the fatal consequences suffered by the Lost Patrol were avoided by future NWMP constables.

Having a reliable guide, one who knows the way and knows how to avoid danger, is a very important thing, especially in this world of chaos and confusion! We often wonder what to do, which way to turn, what decisions to make, etc., and the advice of our fellow human beings often leave us wanting.

There is a Guide who is infallible. Not only this, but He's also available at all times! You can entrust your very life to His hands, with the assurance that you couldn't be in better hands (not even your own!)!

Jesus is our Guide in the midst of chaos

2. We are generally a bundle of chaos and confusion

a. Disease

b. Addictions

c. Job Stress

d. Families in turmoil

e. Fears

3. In spite of this, God invites us to be part of his mission

a. That is, to bring Shalom (peace; wholeness) to people -- John 14.27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

b. Motivated by a deep love and concern even for those out of our comfort zones

4. Mark 4.35-41

I. Jesus on Mission -- To Bring Shalom (Peace and Harmony) to the Other Side

A. A Center for Pagans: The Decapolis

1. Galilee -- devotion to God; Bible belt

2. Avoided Uncleanness at all costs (Matthew and Luke -- unclean stories precede this one)

16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6.16-18 (CF Isaiah 52.11-12)

3. The Other side had people in need as the Legion demoniac

B. Chaos Demonstrated -- an Interference to Jesus' Mission to the Other Side

1. The beginning -- The earth was without form [tohu] and void [v'vohu], and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1.2

2. Sea represents chaos (no Sea in Heaven -- Revelation 21.1)

3. Storm on the sea is HIGH chaos -- note it was at night as well -- Psalm 107.23-32

[Have you had those highly chaotic times when all seems distorted? A woman was in the checkout line in a grocery store. When it was her turn to pay she had trouble finding her wallet in her enormous purse. She finally began dumping things out onto the counter. One of the things she dropped was a TV remote. The man behind her could not contain himself and approached her. The woman thought he was angry for the delay, but he calmed her and asked about the remote. She replied that she and her husband had a giant fight just before she left to come to the store. She took the remote because that was the worst thing she could think of to do to him. CHAOS!