What can we learn from dog sledding?
Using dogs to pull sleds over snow and ice began in Alaska and Siberia, where wintertime lasts most of the year. Unique breeds of dogs were raised and trained just for this purpose. For example, the Chuckchi breed the Siberian Husky for such tasks, and the indigenous Mahlemiut people use the Alaska Malamute.
In 1925, sled dogs proved their value as a means of transportation when an epidemic of diphtheria threatened the population of Nome, Alaska. The 40-degree below-zero weather made air flight impossible. So the Great Race of Mercy to Nome evolved in which twenty mushers and more than 100 dogs ran a grueling relay from Nenana to Nome to deliver a 20 lbs. package of antitoxin serum. What is so amazing is that these dog sledding teams covered 674 miles in less than five and a half days to save the lives of the people on Nome.
I referenced dog sledding because of the uniqueness of these dogs teaming together to pull a sled for a common purpose. Likewise, as believers, we must team together to build the Kingdom and bring glory to God. However, a lead dog is always present when dog sledding. The lead dog must possess alertness and keen intelligence to find and follow the snow-covered trail. Often the musher (driver) lacks the vision to see beyond the team’s path, so the lead dog must recognize danger and stop the team movement or avoid the threat by maneuvering around the obstacles. Also, the lead dog keeps the other dogs moving forward by keeping the gang line tight.
In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul emphasizes similar roles for each family member to move into God’s glory. He uses the provocative term submitting. Yet today, many individuals think this term is the contrary.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
(Ephesians 5:21)
The definition of submit means to yield, give to another or cooperate. Submit does not imply slavish obedience. The Apostle Paul only uses the term obedience for children to obey their parents. Yet, the family’s success depends on each member’s contribution, like dog sledding. The husband leads by loving his wife with sacrificial love, the wife submits to the husband’s leadership by cooperating, and the child submits to the leadership team by obeying. The harmony God intended for the family is only possible when all family members diligently perform their roles, similar to dog sledding. In other words, when believers submit to each other, we honor Christ’s work for the Church. As a result, submitting within the family makes it easier to have harmony rather than conflict. The next time when opposition arises about submitting, think about the Great Race of Mercy to Nome.
