A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers 

Acts 20:24, “None of these things move me.”  Building the 1523 miles long Alaska Highway in less than 9 months did not come without huge sacrifices.  For one thing, how do you move thousands of people, as well as more than 11,000 pieces of road-building equipment north in two months? How can you expect success from men who had never driven a Cat bulldozer before? How can the equipment continue to function properly if the people handling it have no idea how to maintain it?  Cold was also a terrible enemy. The extreme temperatures would freeze engine lubricants and make the transmission seize. Special time-consumingprecautions had to be made every time a vehicle stopped, as the heavy grease would freeze solid if left to cool off.  Men did not fair better, especially those who came from the sunny, southern states. They had no idea how cold the Yukon could be! When vehicles broke down and no immediate help was available, many of the workers froze to death.  Tragedy even struck in large towns. In February 1943, 60,000 cases of dynamite exploded in Dawson Creek, leveling an entire city block. Many were hurt, and sadly, 5 lost their lives.  In addition, the quickly constructedbridges were far from being secure. In one day alone, July 11, 1943, forty-five bridges washed out.  And these are just a few of the hardships faced by the crew. None of these tragedies daunted them, however.  The highway was completed in spite of the setbacks and obstacles that stood in their path.  In spite of countless challenges that seemed poised to stop his ministry, the Apostle Paul’s resolve isseen in our Scripture lesson today:  “None of these things move me.”  You can note a person’s resolve by what it takes to stop them.  What obstacles are in your path today?  Listen friend, you may not be faced with building an Alaskan Highway, but whatever task is before you today, obstacles will, none-the-less arise.  Be determined; as Paul was and as the men and women who endured incredible conditions to finish the 1523 miles of highway in Alaska that nothing will deter or dismay you, as you develop a fresh new resolve to press ahead with each new day.