What it Takes to Survive

I subscribe to National Geographic's Adventure magazine. My friend and fashion critic, Walt Tanner, once asked me sarcastically why I subscribe to it since it is mainly for outdoorsy adventuresome types like hikers, mountain bikers, climbers, bungee jumpers, etc. It's simple why I like it. Great photography. And because of my love for travel, NG Adventure interests me because it covers all sorts of places on the globe. I skip over articles like "What Mountain Boot Should I Wear Today?" "Important Facts About Sterno" and "Top 10 Camping Tents of the Year."

An article in the latest addition (May 2008) caught my attention. In "Ties That Bind" by Laurence Gonzales it is cited that an important and recurring theme in survival stories is that being connected to loving people can help you survive. Gonzales tells several stories of wilderness survivors whose motivation and determination to be with their loved ones again was just what they needed to make it through almost impossible odds. (You can read the entire article here.)

Vito Seskunas, 53, was five miles into a solo backcountry ski trip in Grand Teton National Park when he broke his leg. It was a bad break. He knew he needed medical attention and he also knew that no one would find him. He scooted out of the snowy woods in a seated position. It took him 3 days. He said that as he worked his way through the snow for 14 hours a day he thought of how much he loved his wife, family, friends, and life in general. He was determined to dance and play with his pets again. He scooted in sets of one hundred. Each set was dedicated to someone or something he loved.

Gonzales also wrote that we thrive on group connections. We are designed to function not alone but together. "You would think that survival would be a very selfish process, but it's not. It's much more about how embedded in a family or a community we are. People who are more socially connected have a better chance of surviving. We live when we have something to live for."

It's another reminder to me that we are not created to be alone, nor are we created for ourselves. We are created to live together in love and harmony with those around us. When we all realize that, we will have peace. "The more we strengthen those bonds," Gonzales writes, "the better we'll be at facing adversity when it comes. And it always comes."

You can't be a Lone Ranger Christian. You must do life together with other fellow Christ-followers. It's the only way to survive.