People of Courage: Norman Vaughan

In 1927 Norman Vaughan was a 21-year-old student at Harvard when he read a saw a headline that read:  “Byrd to the South Pole.”  Along with two classmates, he volunteered to accompany the explorer to Antarctica.  Byrd accepted the offer, and Vaughan served as chief dog handler.

After the successful 18-month expedition, a grateful Byrd named a 10,302 foot mountain after the young man.  Vaughan immediately replied, “I want to climb it!”

Sixty-five year later, and three days before his 89th birthday, Norman Vaughan finally reached to the peak of his mountain, Mt. Vaughan, which no one had ever climbed before.  In fact, it’s the only mountain he had ever climbed.

His 13-member team, including his wife, took nine days to reach the summit.  “I climb very slowly,” explained Vaughan.  He also climbed straight up the mountain due to a fused ankle and a knee replacement on the same leg.

Why did he climb his mountain?  “I want people to dream big,” he challenged, “and I want them to dare to fail.”

Norman Vaughan died in 2005 just after he turned 100 years old. He was a person of courage, adventure, and perseverance. Most importantly, he dreamed big dreams that seemed impossible. Then, through faith, he set out to make his dream a reality.

What is your dream? If you could do anything, what would it be? What is something larger than yourself that you’d be willing to do anything to make it happen? What is it that you are willing to live … and die for?

Daniel Burnham, a Chicago architect in the late 19th century, helped develop Chicago’s master plan. He recommended maintaining parks along the entire Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan.  It was a big dream that defied conventional wisdom. Lakefront property remains the most desirable and valuable land available.

Through the boldness of his grand vision, and the strength of his personality, Chicago has among the most spectacular lakefronts in the world. You can travel along the scenic Lake Shore Drive from one end to the other and view the Lake the entire way. Chicagoans, like me, owe a big debt of gratitude to Daniel Burnham.

Burnham famously said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood … Make big plans; aim high …”

My dream is that every Christian – everywhere – would know and live out the specific reason God them on earth.

Imagine the power that would be unleashed if believers identified and used their spiritual gifts and natural abilities for Kingdom purposes.

Imagine the change that would occur if Christians connected with their passion – the longing embedded within them to make a difference for Christ.

Imagine coming to the end of your life and being able to echo the words of Jesus Christ, “I have brought you glory on earth by the work You gave me to do” (John 17:4).

Imagine the joy within you to hear God say those words you long to hear. “Well do, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21,23).

That’s my dream. I know in my soul that God placed that dream within me. I didn’t dream it up, write it down, plan it out, and bring it before God for His blessing.

How did I connect with my dream? All I can tell you is that I set aside a considerable amount of time to ask Him to show me His purpose for my life. I was open, available, and willing to do whatever He asked me to do. That’s when and why Designed to Serve was founded.

How about you? What is the “big dream” God’s embedded in your heart?