A Constellation For Life...
Thinking about the importance of a relational constellation to help us navigate the often difficult terrain of life.
For the last year or so, I've been thinking a lot about the relational constellation we need to help us navigate life and the north start that we need to guide us on our journey. There are, of course, many famous stories of people being guided by the stars. Using the constellations above to navigate rocky terrain, dangerous territory, and unmapped landscapes was once a common tail. It's hard to remember a time before Apple Maps isn't it!
The most famous of these celestial stories is that of the Magi in scripture.
"[The Magi] set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising in the east until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage."
— Matthew 2:9–11
God used a star to guide these men to Jesus! Were the magi astrologers, experts of the night sky and the constellations above? Maybe. Regardless, God used a star in the sky to guide them to the incarnate Word, who is the north star we all need.
Another story of celestial navigation is that of Lewis and Clark. In his book Canoeing the Mountains, Tod Bolsinger tells the story of Lewis and Clark navigating their way west and draws from their journey some great lessons for adaptive leadership. After I read that book I started reading some other bits here and there about Lewis and Clark. I read that when they set out on their journey west to explore the Louisiana Purchase in 1804, they were both reasonably proficient in the use of instruments and celestial objects to help them navigate. They daily used their books and instruments to measure the locations of the sun, moon, and stars, the "celestial objects." These celestial objects helped them to be aware of their geographical position and their progress on the journey. It was especially interesting to read that they used their tools of navigation even when they weren't moving much or when they seemed to be stuck. They constantly wanted to make sure they were on the right track.
Like the terrain of our lives, Lewis and Clark ventured into a largely unexplored landscape. Expecting one thing and running into another is a common part of the story—their story and our story. For Lewis and Clark, the Rocky Mountains were unexpected and proved to be a brutal part of their journey. During this most challenging part of their trek, the ability to determine their position using the stars was crucial for maintaining their course and ensuring they were on the right path.1
The story of Lewis and Clark is a testament to the ingenuity and resilience needed while navigating the unknown. Bolsinger pulls out some great lessons for Christian leaders who are navigating the often uncharted territory of daily life and work. I think there are some lessons for all of us in their story. One lesson I've particularly been thinking about is how both the constellations in the sky and the constellation of people around them were key to their successful journey.
We all need a constellation of things to help guide us; we need a constellation of relationships to help keep us on track and progressing on our journey.
We need this relational constellation to help us navigate the often difficult terrain of our daily life. We need a relational constellation to help us navigate the often unexplored terrain of our inner lives. The terrain of our lives can be difficult, both what’s in front of us and what’s within us. And from either place it’s not uncommon to run into a mountain that seems insurmountable. Intentionally cultivating a robust constellation of relationships is a key to our thriving. Like Lewis and Clark, even when things are stable and it doesn't seem like much is happening, being intentional about knowing where you're at and how you're doing is crucial. We need to be dialed into our relational constellation all the time because it's easy to get lost, it's easy to veer off the path, and it's easy to run into challenges that seem impossible. When we fail to be relationally connected, we fail to be prepared to navigate what life throws at us.
If God can use a star to help the Magi find their way to Jesus, if God can gift these celestial objects to Lewis and Clark to help them navigate their perilous journey through the Rocky Mountains, maybe God can use a constellation of relationships to help us navigate whatever we might find our path.
What are some of the key relationships that make up a robust relational constellation? This is what I plan on exploring in some of my future posts.
Here's a little preview.
These are some of the stars I think we should all be looking for...
* Friends * Mentors * Communities * Councilors * Coaches * Spiritual Guides
* And More…
I want to break these key relationships down and talk about how we might define and differentiate them and, ultimately, how we include them in a constellation of relationships that will help us successfully navigate the terrain of our lives.
I’d be curious, what are the key relationships that have helped you to successfully navigate difficult moments in your life?
“Both Lewis and Clark were reasonably proficient in the use of these instruments and for 28 months, as long as the expedition was on the move, a part of the daily routine was the measurement of latitude and longitude and the calculation of course, time, and distance of travel. Even during those times when Lewis and Clark were fixed in location for lengthy periods of time, such as at Fort Mandan and Fort Clatsop, the "mathematical instruments" saw almost daily use, weather permitting.”
“They also used books and tables giving the daily locations of sun, moon, and planets for use in computing geographical position after obtaining sightings of these ‘celestial objects.’ The two most important groups of items of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, if cost is the measure, were mapping instruments and gifts for native peoples: these were the tools of empire, necessary in establishing a claim to place and space and defending that claim through trade.”
* I copied these quotes from an article I read online awhile back. I apologize but can’t seem to locate the exact source. I thought they were interesting so I’m including them anyway.