“Attention all hands. As you know, we could outrun the Klingon vessels. But we must protect the Enterprise-C until she enters the temporal rift. And we must succeed. Let’s make sure history never forgets… the name… ‘Enterprise’. Picard out. ” –Star Trek: The Next Generation, “Yesterday’s Enterprise”
Above is my favorite Jean-Luc Picard quote, from my favorite Star Trek: The Next Generation, and probably from all of Star Trek. The story centers on the discovery of the Enterprise-C being discovered by Captain Picard’s Enterprise-D. Out of the timeline, the Enterprise –C needs to return to its original timeline and sacrifice itself to stop the Klingon War the Enterprise-D finds itself in.
What strikes me about the quote is Picard’s motivational leadership. He stands ready to sacrifice himself and his ship for the sake of peace. Interestingly enough, and worth considering, he isn’t really sacrificing anything because he knows that he will live on in the original timeline—it is the Enterprise-C that is sacrificing itself. Picard is sacrificing himself and his ship on the basis of faith. Faith that all of the information that has been given to him has drawn him to the right conclusion.
So, that makes me consider a big subject and ask you a bigger question. What are you willing to sacrifice for your faith? You may say you believe that Christ is the only way. You have all of the evidence that lays it all out in front of you. But, do you have the faith enough in your own conclusions that you are willing to sacrifice?
You may have to sacrifice some money.
You may have to sacrifice some friendships.
Depending you may truly have to sacrifice your life.
What are you willing to sacrifice for your faith?
It is an interesting question and thought. What will history say about you?
(Photo: StarTrek.com)