JANUARY 22 "A MAN THAT KEEPS HIS WORD"

Ernest Shackleton, in his exploration of the North Pole did not promise that there would be no hardship. But he did promise that he would come back for his men when he had to leave them on Elephant Island in the North Pole. Shackleton traveled 800 miles across the Arctic Ocean in a life boat to get help. On a trip that took him 105 days and tried to return to his men on 3 failed attempts. At the counsel of many good friends, not to try to return to Elephant Island; that either his men would already be dead or he would die in the process. Shackleton refused to take such counsel, based on the premise that he gave his word and he would die trying if he had too and would not dare just assume his men were dead, though very probable. After months of effort, Shackleton did return to Elephant Island and what’s more important is his men had not given up hope. They kept themselves alive because Ernest Shackleton had given them his word that he would return. For the span of over 3 months, abandoned in the North Pole, these men fought to stay alive based on the word of a man. And what’s even more powerful, is they were not let down! Ernest Shackleton returned for and rescued his men just as he had promised. The question to ask ourselves is would men have done the same if it was you and I that had given them our word?