During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert lit up the small screen portraying members of the Ingalls family of Walnut Grove in Little House on the Prairie. The series was based upon the memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder from her award-winning series, The Little House books. Today, the tales of Wilder’s life continues to teach children and adults the meaning of hard work, values and ethics, and pioneer life. But it also offers some insight for Christians too.
Pioneers. Preparing the way for others.
The Ingalls were pioneers—forging into unsettled parts of America, preparing the way for others to follow. Born in the Big Woods of Pepin, Wisconsin, Laura moved with her family to other frontier towns like De Smet, South Dakota, Walnut Grove, Minnesota, and Independence, Kansas. Each time staying until the areas became too crowded, then moving on to wilder, untamed areas. And they did it all without air conditioning.
The word pioneer is derived from the French word peon meaning foot soldier. The foot soldier often trod first into battle, opening the way for other troops. When exploring new areas, leaders sent a peon to make a trail. He chopped vegetation, cut limbs, and trampled the undergrowth, leaving a trail for others to follow. Likewise, American pioneers cultivated fields, built homes and businesses, and invited others to follow their lead.
Jesus. Leading others in the paths of righteousness.
Jesus was a pioneer. He was the firstborn from God, becoming the visible image of God (Col 1:15). Jesus was the firstborn among many who became sons of God by conforming to his image (Rom 8:29). Jesus pioneered the triumph of death when he resurrected (Col 1:18). He was God’s foot soldier, sent to lead others in the paths of righteousness, sonship, and eternal life.
The life of a pioneer is always hard. Unknown variables, trials, and the specter of death fill his life. No pioneer faced these more than Jesus. Pursued, antagonized, beaten, and crucified, Jesus suffered for his trailblazing ways. However, by enduring all the hardships, he made it possible for others to follow him.
“For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers” (Heb 2:10-11).
Trials and hardships, integrity and perseverance.
Years ago, I took my family to Mansfield, Missouri to see the last home of Laura Ingalls Wilder. We reconnected with the trials and hardships of frontier life. In the end, we gained a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made by pioneers to build this country and blaze a trail for others to follow. We better understood the need for vision, determination, integrity, and perseverance. These qualities not only forged a new nation, but they are essential today in order to follow the trail blazed by the Savior.
Christians need vision to see the Savior, identify the trail he cut, and stay on his path to draw closer to Jesus and the eternal destiny. We need determination to steel our resolve to follow the path of Jesus no matter what may happen. We need integrity to follow Jesus’s righteousness and not fool ourselves into rationalizing our sins. We need perseverance to get up after a fall and reorient ourselves when we wander off the path. By this we stay on the trail Jesus blazed.
Preaching Minister
