Today’s Scripture Reading (April 22,
2013): Proverbs 29
Part of the
success of Adolph Hitler in the years prior to World War II was that he seemed
to have a plan for what it was that he wanted to see accomplished while the
rest of the world did not. Hitler was known as the great orator, but what he
was really accomplished at was casting the vision. And he cast that vision in
such a way that his people were willing to sacrifice themselves so that his
vision could become a reality. For those that opposed him, the reverse was
true. What they were intent on was actually non-sacrifice. During those early
years, while the people under Hitler were engrossed by his vision and promise
for a new world, those who were not under any immediate threat were just
willing for Hitler’s vision to become reality as long as it did not cost them
anything.
But slowly
that changed. As the threat of Hitler and his allies started to broaden, the
leaders of the other nations start to cast a vision. That vision came to a
climax in the memorable words of Winston Churchill just over a month before the
commencement of the Battle of Britain. Even those of us who would not even be
alive for a generation or more after the end of the battle remember the words. “We shall go on to the end. We shall
fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing
confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island,
whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the
landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall
fight in the hills; we shall never surrender” (Winston Churchill - June 4, 1940.) As Hitler mounted his airborne attack
on the major cities of Britain, Churchill cast the vision that would rally the
people to sacrifice, and gave them the determination the needed to meet “the
whole fury and might of the enemy.”
Later
translations of this proverb, while definitely more accurate in their wording,
hide the beauty and maybe even the deeper meaning of this Proverb as it is
worded in the King James Version – “where there is no vision, the people
perish.” The reality is that where there is no vision that has been cast, there
is also no reason for the people to sacrifice. Vision or revelation is
necessary if the people are to cast off restraint and sacrifice for a common
goal.
It is the
reason why times of vision casting are essential for anyone who is a leader of
anything. If people are to sacrifice, they have to clearly understand why. For
those of us who are engaged in biblical leadership, our cues come from the
gospel. The Bible holds the revelation and the vision that is needed so that
the people can sacrifice – and live.
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:
Proverbs 30
No comments:
Post a Comment