a lesson from a colonel

This afternoon some friends and I drove down to PA to see the Gettysburg battlefield. The place was full of history and I must admit history isn't one of my favorite pastimes. Others in our group however were as thrilled about everything as if they'd found out they'd inherited millions! I know it's wrong but my natural inclination is to recoil and turn into an Ebenezer Scrooge type of person that shuts out everyone else.

 

At one of the many stops of this endless tour I wondered down a trail to a spot that I remembered from history. (Ok, I'll admit I remembered it from the movie Gettysburg, but that was historical right??) This was the far left flank of the Union army. The 20th Main regiment had entrenched themselves here under the authority of Col. Joshua Chamberlain. This incredible leader was a student at a seminary when the war broke out. Having no previous education at a military academy or outer such institution he rose in the ranks until he became the commander of this famous division.

 

Their mission was very simple: "Defend whatever the cost." To these warriors that meant they would either leave the field that day as victors or as mere memories of what used to be the 20th Main before they were all slaughtered. If you've seen the movie or are familiar with the history than you know what happened. Col. Chamberlain passed on to his men his orders and told them that if they broke than the rest of the Union army, and possibly the whole war would be lost.

 

The rebel army attacked, and the 20th Main fought like animals. When all seemed lost Col. Chamberlain ordered a bayonet charge and with one final thrust the victory was seized and the 20th Main was spared to fight another day.

 

As I stood on that spot where this incredible leader inspired his men nearly 150 years ago I was awestruck with the size. Here is a plot of land the size of a typical backyard. A short stone wall winding around in a rough semi-circle some 40 feet or so is all it was. You can walk up the trail to the right and see where the other regiments were stationed along the way, but to the left there is nothing. And really when you look at the amount of land they had it was nothing.

 

But did Col. Chamberlain give it up because he held this little piece of land? Did he take a back seat because he didn't have the training that other more superior officers had? No.

He was faithful in the little things that he was given. Sure, looking at it now Little Round Top wasn't small at all, but at the time this unknown officer from Main had no idea. His authority spoke, and he was faithful.

 

Now relate that to my attitude going to this historical site. The Lord wants me to be faithful in the small things too, and though some times (most times) I don't see how vital the battle is, the potential is always there to be victorious. Maybe it'll matter for eternity, maybe not but do I really want to take that chance?