The Heart of a Pioneer

I’ll admit that my thoughts were in a different place when the topic of pioneering came to me. For the last two years, I’ve been sharing with different people about how I believe that this is a season for those who have a pioneering spirit. However, as I am reflecting on today and what it means to many people, I cannot help but consider the heart of the pioneer that was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

One of the definitions for the word pioneer is “to open or prepare for others to follow.” There can be no doubt that when Dr. King launched his campaign for a peaceful protest for civil rights, his hope would be that others would follow in his footsteps. When he gave his famous “I have a dream” speech, he knew that it might be possible that he might not see the fulfillment of that day when the “sons of former slaves and sons of former slave owners would sit together at the table of brotherhood.”

The thing about pioneers is that just because one goes first, doesn’t mean that there is no expectation that others will follow. In fact, in many instances, the expectation is that the one who goes first will be the inspiration for others to find the courage to go also.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr inspired so many to follow his lead to be advocates for revolution and change. He encouraged many to see beyond the color of skin to the content of character in one’s neighbor. While the dream has not been fully realized, there is no doubt that we are much closer to that “Promised Land” than we ever were nearly 60 years ago.

It’s my hope that as you read this today, it will encourage you to find the heart of the pioneer within you, if you believe that God has impressed upon you to move in a direction, create something new, or to take up a mission that others might fear is too dangerous or risky.

It's so amazing to think about the days of discovery, as when people like Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone explored the western frontier, Matthew Henson explored the North Pole, and Neil Armstrong first stepped onto the moon. The pioneers of those days gone by could never have imagined the day in which we live today. Yet, so many are of the impression that there’s no place left for the pioneer, the explorer, the venturer. Nothing could be further from the truth. God has impressed in the hearts of men, women, and children the desire to seek the new and the undiscovered place.

In the Old Testament, God told Abraham to go to a land that He would show him. God told Moses to lead His people to a land that flowed with milk and honey. Jesus told his followers to wait in an upper room for an empowering by the Holy Spirit. Pioneering looks differently, in different times. What is it that God is speaking to you to move towards? What is He compelling you to do that seems so outlandish yet so exhilarating to consider? Whatever that thing is, I challenge you to lean into that thing to find your pioneering heart. This is your time!