An early Canadian fur trader and explorer, Sir Alexander Mackenzie (1764-1820), led a daring expedition across Canada to the Pacific Ocean. His incredible journey was completed in 1793, 11 years before Americans Lewis and Clark began their famous expedition to the West.

Mackenzie was determined to succeed, for an earlier attempt in 1789  had ended in failure. His crew of 12 explorers in three canoes had set out from Lake Athabasca in an effort to find a water route to the Pacific. The valiant group followed a mighty river (now named the Mackenzie) with high hopes, paddling furiously amid great danger. Unfortunately, it didn’t empty into the Pacific but into the Arctic Ocean. In his diary, Mackenzie called it the “River of Disappointment.”

Those who follow religions that lead nowhere are headed for an ultimate disappointment. Only Jesus can take us to the waters of eternal life. By trusting Him you will not end up in the River of Disappointment. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Tags: disappointment, Mackenzie