A Lesson from Lincoln

One of my favorite "leisure" activities is to read history. Currently I am reading a survey of American history. I just wrapped up the Civil War era. As I read about this great struggle that almost tore our nation apart, I was struck by the man who, probably more than anyone else, was responsible for the Union surviving. Abraham Lincoln might have entered the Presidency as a lowly regarded lawyer from Illinois, but by the time of the assassination just a few years later, the vast majority of Americans realized that he was a true giant of his time (and he was tall, measuring 6' 4" which was quite unusual in his day). Lincoln's genius can be seen in so many ways, but all one has to do to encounter it first hand is to read the words of his Gettysburg Address. These remarks were given by the President only because the organizers of the event thought it would be appropriate to invite the President and give him a chance to say a few things to the assembled crowd. After all, the great orator of the day, Edward Everett was to give the keynote speech (which lasted some two hours!) Yet how many of us can recall one line from Everett's speech given that day? In contrast, Lincoln's two minute address has been memorized by school children down through the decades! It is arguably one of the greatest speeches ever given on American soil.

Now I know there is a myth "out there" that Lincoln hastily scribbled out the notes of his speech on an envelope as he rode the train from Washington to Gettysburg. But this is simply not true. Lincoln spent days preparing his speech, which was his normal approach to any speech. Lincoln knew the importance of words. He understood, given the context of the war, that every speech he gave would be analyzed and evaluated by friend and foe alike (and everyone in between!).  Therefore, he would agonize over everything he said and everything he wrote.

I wish we would all learn from his example. Way too often, we put our tongues in gear while our brains are still in neutral. The Bible tells us to be "quick to listen and slow to speak" (James 1:19). Let's all make an intentional effort TODAY to practice this wise counsel from God's Word!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj