The battle had been brutal, so ruthless. By the end, the field was so
completely covered in bodies that anyone who tried to walk there
couldn't even put their foot on the ground. Both the Union and the
Confederate soldiers had fought so hard for victory. Sadly, no one was
even aware of this slaughter, for both the Confederate and the Union
armies had other battles on the go around Gettysburg that day. It took
two days before anyone even ventured out to see what happened.
Brazila, a soldier who had been badly wounded, somehow survived the
ordeal. He was quite happy to have his sword with him, for the aftermath
of the battle was even more frightening than the battle itself. Hogs ran
loose on the field, stripping the flesh of dead soldiers from their
bodies. Brazila's blade was his only protection against these vicious
pigs, and he was indeed relieved when two days later, he was finally
rescued. Though the nightmare was over, it would never be forgotten. The
soldiers in that wheatfield not only fought desperately for victory, but
also to simply survive. Most of them never made it, but they did
everything in their power to stay alive.
Each one of us would do
anything to survive. We search far and wide to find cures for our
diseases, and how much money is spent on remedies that don't even work?
We would be willing to give away all of our fortune, all of our
belongings, if only our lives could continue on. Look at Kim II Sung,
leader of North Korea. He has ordered his doctors to find a way so that
he can live to be hundred years old. I am certain these doctors work
extra hard, for their lives also depend on their finding the secret to
extending their leader's life!
Isn't it interesting that though
we would do anything to live longer, we don't even realize that living
for eternity is simply a question of accepting the offer Jesus brings us
through the cross. He sacrificed himself so that we could have the
choice to return to our Eternal Father and experience life without end.
It baffles me when people refuse to even consider the life Jesus
promises us. When He rose from the dead, He brought hope to humanity.
Death is not the end. Eternal life has been offered to each one of us.
What we do with that offer is up to us; however, those who welcome Jesus
into their lives begin to enjoy the benefits of such a decision. They
are never alone, for Jesus is constantly with them. Inner peace reigns
in their hearts, and they never have to worry about anything as long as
their trust is securely anchored in their Savior, who always comes
through. They don't worry how long they will live on this planet, for
their future is assured. They are the ones who are truly alive: Not
temporarily; but for eternity!
You may be holding on dearly to
your life, sword in hand. Sooner or later, however, each one of us will
pass away. There is no doubt about that! It is now that you have the
opportunity to fully accept the eternal life offered by the only One who
willingly died for you so that you would have a choice. What will you do
with the offer?
Rob Chaffart
