1906) If you have not read about the Shackleton Expedition, you are truly missing out. My students and I read Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong every year and, even though I have read it many times, I am still in awe of the leadership of Sir Earnest Shackleton and how he orchestrated the survival of all 28 men.  

This group of men endured death on multiple levels, being stuck in the ice of Antarctica for two years, and without the strong leadership of Shackleton, all would have perished. One thing he continually did was, when it came to facing danger, he always went first. His philosophy was, if I am not willing to do the dangerous task first, then I shouldn’t be asking it of my men.  

Romans 12:10 reflects this aspect of Shackleton. Here, Paul tells us to outdo one another in showing honor. The Greek word for outdo is proégeomai which means the proper behavior modeled so others can follow the one going first. (Biblehub.com)  

If we’re not willing to demonstrate first any aspect of our faith, then, as James says in 2:26, our faith is dead or powerless.  

Are you willing to go first?