I read an interesting story last week. It was about a wicked monarch who would not conceded his position to the rightful heir of a throne. Eventually the rightful king gathered his family and fled to exile.
A while later, a band of men gathered around him to support him. These were courageous soldiers and men who sought for purpose in their lives. They were ready for anything. The story gives an account of these courageous fighters. It tells us of valiant exploits they accomplished in the pursuit of their righteous cause and in the defense of their king. As I read about them, I discovered a hallmark, a trend in the attitude of some of these men which I think is what made them special. Every time it related to one of their exploits, the story says something like, “When everyone else fled, they alone continued and won the battle!” They were called great, mighty and courageous not because they knew how to fight well. Anyone with training can do that. Their valor was not in the perfection of their skills, but in their character and the strength of their devotion to the cause. To continue in the rightness of a cause when everyone leaves shows a special strength of character. It is easy to go with the flow of things, to respond to feelings, to general trends, and to the prevailing attitudes around us. But to get in there when everybody stays home; to run forward holding the banner when everyone goes backward; indeed, to go against the despondent flow of the people, against the general attitude of indifference and selfishness that prevails in the innate nature of man, might represent the true true nature of what is coined as courage; the definition of a hero. By the way, do you want to know who that King was who earned the devotion of these brave men? King David of the Bible (1 Samuel 22:2; 2 Samuel 23: 8-39)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
If you appreciate these articles, support their upcoming publication in a book called, "REFLECTIONS OF A FIRE CHAPLAIN"
|